MALAYSIA has registered a special battalion of peacekeepers in readiness for deployment to Gaza, contingent upon a mandate from the United Nations, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed today.
The battalion, separate from Malaysia’s existing peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon, has been fully prepared and stands ready to support international efforts to maintain peace in the war-torn enclave, should the UN Security Council approve the mission.
Speaking at a press conference following the launch of the PERHEBAT Transformation Plan 2026–2035, Mohamed Khaled said the proposal had been made during a recent meeting of defence ministers from countries with UN peacekeeping forces.
“We have indeed registered a battalion. When I participated in the meeting of ministers of countries with peacekeeping forces, we expressed Malaysia's readiness. It is our intention to help there,” he said.
He clarified that the proposed deployment would not involve troops currently stationed in Lebanon, but would come from another dedicated battalion.
“We call them back every year. So, we have another battalion,” he added, referring to Malaysia’s rotation system for trained peacekeepers.
The Minister's remarks follow a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who yesterday reaffirmed Malaysia’s readiness to contribute peacekeeping forces to Gaza in support of a peace initiative recently brokered in Egypt.
The proposal is expected to be deliberated at the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) levels before being brought to the UN Security Council for final approval.
At the same event, Mohamed Khaled witnessed the symbolic exchange of cooperation documents between the Armed Forces Veterans’ Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) and 44 agencies and private companies, including the presentation of job offer letters to Malaysian Armed Forces veterans. - October 15, 2025
