“I hope they can open their mind” – PM Anwar Disappointed by Backlash Against Flying in Injured Palestinians

On August 16, it was reported that the Royal Malaysian Air Force had brought back 2 jets filled with Palestinian patients to receive treatment in Malaysian hospitals.

However, despite the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the fact that these victims of war need ALL the help they can get, it appears that some Malaysians have chosen to speak out against the decision.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has since expressed his disappointment and sadness after several Malaysians condemned and belittled the country’s efforts in bringing injured Palestinians here to receive treatment.

According to BERNAMA, Anwar said it was just a small move that Putrajaya could undertake out of compassion and kindness toward the Gazans.

“Israel’s cruelty involves shooting, bombing, destroying homes, killing babies and women. Many Palestinians were injured, men were jailed, women were raped,” he stated.

“When we brought those injured here [for medical treatment], some people started to criticise, saying I shouldn’t be the prime minister of Malaysia, telling me to go be the prime minister of Palestine if I really wanted to help.”

Anwar highlighted that even in the past, Malaysia had also given shelter to Rohingya and Aceh refugees.

“There are many others who came before the Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya and Acehnese refugees had also come here…we provided protection to them until the tension in their countries subsided,” he added.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also said he was puzzled that some civil servants were also influenced by such criticisms from the Opposition, who did not even bother to thank Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers for the operation.

“I hope they can open their mind a little bit because we are the first country in Asia that brings in the injured Palestinians for treatment. How is this possible? Because our Cabinet, our leaders in the Unity Government agreed to take the common responsibility to do this.”

He also responded to the criticism of the government’s decision to use RMAF’s aircraft in the operation instead of commercial flights. Anwar explained that this was due to safety risks, particularly in areas near the Egyptian border.

“We picked up [the Palestinians] at the border, and negotiations with the Egyptian government were necessary. One of the conditions was that we had to use Air Force planes equipped with the necessary gear due to the risks involved,” he shared.

“The Palestinians were aware of the risks, such as the possibility of being targeted by Israeli missiles, so those on board, for instance, a mother accompanying her child, understood the dangers.”

What do you think of his comments? Let us know in the comments section.

Also read: Royal Malaysian Air Force Brings Back 127 Palestinians to Treat in Local Hospitals