Recently, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received backlash after the Royal Malaysian Air Force brought 127 Palestinians to Malaysia to seek treatment for their injuries from the Israel-Palestine war.
Many believed that, as Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim should focus on the wellbeing of his own people as there are many Malaysians who do not even have access to medical help.
Now, the Head of the NGO, Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS), Francis Paul Siah, is strictly telling the Prime Minister NOT to send Palestinian refugees to Sarawak.
Taking to his Facebook page, he wrote, “If Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is thinking of admitting Palestinian refugees, after his most compassionate act of flying in injured Palestinians for treatment, into Malaysia, please understand that we DON’T want them in Sarawak.”
“This is our earnest appeal to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which MoCS believes is the sentiments of the majority of Sarawakians too. Mr. Prime Minister, if you are thinking of taking Palestinian refugees into the country, please don’t force Sarawak to accommodate them too. We don’t want refugees in Sarawak, including those from Palestine. So, don’t even think about it.”
Why help others first when so many at home need assistance?
He went on to share MoCS’s belief that Anwar Ibrahim’s involvement with Palestine is an act of religious extremism.
“If Malaysia really wants to help, let us play the peacemaker role and assist in finding solutions. By taking sides, we become part of the problem.”
Delving further into the refugee issue, he questioned whether the injured Palestinians who were brought to Malaysia had been screened to prevent militant and radical elements from entering our country along with the refugees.
With that, he ultimately wants Sarawak to be left out of any discussions of housing refugees so that they can focus on helping their own state’s people.
“Sarawak does not have a camp for refugees, and I don’t think the government and people of Sarawak will ever want to take in refugees from anywhere. So, please do not think that we are only singling out Palestinian refugees. It so happens that they are the subject under discussion here,”
“It’s not that we, Sarawakians, are not compassionate to those who are suffering but I think we are only being sensible and realistic. Sarawak has its fair share of the needy and destitute, and we believe that charity should begin at home,” he added.
What do you think of the NGO’s stance? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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