KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today proposed the government pledge RM10 million to the newly-launched Palestine Humanitarian Fund under the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).
During the tabling of the 2024 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, also urged companies as well as the people to emulate the steps taken by the government to mitigate the woes faced by the Palestinians on the principles of justice and humanity.
"Based on the latest developments, the situation in Gaza has escalated and become more serious after the Gazans were reportedly surrounded by Israel.
"Malaysia will (have) launch a humanitarian aid with a fund of RM10 million to help the Palestinians.
"I would like to urge companies as well as the people (in the country) to join the government in our efforts to help the Palestinians in the name of universal justice and humanity," he said.
Anwar in his speech also said he has contacted a number of leaders of Islamic countries to discuss the crisis in Gaza.
"We are ready to lend our support to any efforts by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to put pressure so that this 'madness' and cruelty (against the Palestinians) so that it can be put to an end," he said.
Prior to the tabling of the 2024 Budget, Anwar joined a congregation of more than 1,000 people to perform Friday prayers at the Mahmodiah Mosque in Putrajaya near here.
After performing the Friday prayers at the mosque, Anwar proceeded to launch the Palestine Humanitarian Fund, which would be managed by Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi).