PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction, announcing that the country will co-chair the upcoming 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) alongside Japan and Palestine.
He said the meeting would serve as a key platform for advancing coordinated humanitarian and development efforts for the Palestinian people, with outcomes to be detailed in the forthcoming Kuala Lumpur Action Plan.
“Our focus is clear: a comprehensive humanitarian response, early recovery, economic development, and capacity building,” Anwar said in a statement to Bernama and RTM on Friday.
“We are also committed to coordinating joint efforts under the Gaza reconstruction plan initiated by Egypt, which has received support from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” he added.
The Prime Minister made the remarks after receiving a courtesy visit from Palestinian Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh and UNRWA representative Natalie Boucly at his office earlier in the day.
During the meeting, Anwar strongly condemned Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA, calling it “an open attack against a United Nations body.”
“UNRWA has been a critical lifeline for nearly six million Palestinian refugees since 1949. The Israeli regime’s barbaric act must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he said.
CEAPAD, established in 2013 and led by Japan, brings together East Asian nations to support Palestinian state-building through resource sharing and regional cooperation. Member states include Japan, Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Interim Cabinet Roles Following Ministerial Resignations
Separately, Anwar addressed recent changes in the cabinet, clarifying that the appointment of Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as interim ministers was procedural, not indicative of a lack of candidates.
“There’s no need to rush. Some have asked if we’re short of people to appoint, but that is simply not true,” he told reporters after Friday prayers at Surau Ar-Rahim in Putrajaya.
He explained that Amir Hamzah and Johari would temporarily carry out the responsibilities of the Ministers of Economy and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, respectively, until permanent appointments are made in line with the Federal Constitution.
“Let them carry out their duties without undue disruption,” Anwar said.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar confirmed that Amir Hamzah and Johari had officially taken on the interim roles following the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Rafizi stepped down effective 17 June after losing his bid for re-election as PKR Deputy President, while Nik Nazmi’s resignation took effect on 4 July after failing to retain his position as PKR Vice-President during the party’s internal elections in May. - July 11, 2025
