PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly reaffirmed Malaysia's unwavering support for Palestine, describing Israel’s actions in the region as a “colonisation project” and questioning the legitimacy of peace negotiations while the Israeli occupation continues.
At a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Anwar expressed his concerns over the lack of real progress in negotiations and emphassed Malaysia's commitment to continue supporting Palestine.
He warned against superficial diplomatic efforts that do not address the underlying issues of the conflict.
“We are not merely following along with the diplomatic process. We will continue our efforts, but the core issue remains unresolved. You can see that many continue to abstain from taking a clear stance on the matter,” Bernama quoted Anwar saying. “To me, this is a colonisation project,” he added, highlighting the persistence of the occupation.
He criticised the international community’s hesitancy to take decisive action, particularly in the face of Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. “How much negotiation can you have when the coloniser has not withdrawn?” Anwar questioned, further illustrating the futility of discussions under the current circumstances.
Anwar also pointed out that the problem goes beyond political discussions, underscoring the systematic dispossession of Palestinians, which extends to their fundamental rights to land, homes, and property.
He reiterated the dual nature of the issue: immediate humanitarian aid is essential, but a long-term, fair solution to the conflict is equally critical.
“The issue is not just political; it is also about land, homes, and property,” he stated. “We must work towards a just and enduring resolution.”
Malaysia has consistently been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, collaborating with Türkiye and other global partners to address the ongoing crisis.
Earlier, during the press conference, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Anwar witnessed the signing of 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Malaysia and Turkey, covering areas such as energy transition, disaster management, defense, trade, and media collaboration.
Erdoğan is currently on a two-day official visit to Malaysia at Anwar's invitation.
Prime Minister approves RM200 aid for 300 underprivileged students
In other news, Anwar approved a RM200 cash aid for 300 students from low-income families in Kuantan, Pahang, to help ease the financial burdens of parents preparing for the new school year.
The aid was presented by the Prime Minister’s political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, during the *Back to School 2025* programme at Tunas Manja Group Mall in Kuantan last Sunday.
Ahmad Farhan stated that this initiative is part of the government's ongoing commitment to supporting education.
"The MADANI government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, previously approved an allocation of RM800 million for the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) initiative, which benefits students nationwide," Bernama cited him saying in a Facebook post shared by the Prime Minister.
The BAP provides RM150 in aid for students from Year 1 to Form 4 for the 2024/2025 school session, which began distribution on January 12.
The aid for Form 6 (Semester 2) students and Year 1 pupils for the 2025/2026 session will begin on February 16, while new Form 6 students will begin receiving their BAP on July 1.
This reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to the necessary resources to succeed academically and are not left behind due to financial hardship. – February 11, 2025
