KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin is leading a five-member delegation on a special visit to Egypt to reiterate Malaysia's staunch support for the Palestinian cause.
The delegation will visit the Rafah-Gaza border checkpoints, through which the emergency and humanitarian relief supplies from Malaysia are channelled to Gaza, the ministry said in a statement today.
It said the delegation is there in close collaboration with the Egyptian government and Op Ihsan, the mission which oversees the delivery of humanitarian aid from Malaysia to Palestinians in Gaza.
The delegation, which also comprises Ledang member of parliament Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh of PKR, Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Pas), Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Umno) and Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Hattta Md Ramli (Amanah), left yesterday and will be in Egypt till Saturday.
Their other programmes include a courtesy call on Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Loza, meeting with the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) chief executive Dr Rami Al Nazer, and a visit to a hospital managed by the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
"Discussions will also be held on the cooperation with Op Ihsan in assisting Palestinians, including those who are seeking medical treatment in Egypt.
"There will be a symbolic ceremony to hand over donations from Malaysia to the ERC and PRCS amounting to US$250,000 and US$500,000 respectively," said Wisma Putra.
The ministry said 100 tonnes of humanitarian assistance worth RM5.6 million was successfully flown to the El-Arish Airport in November and December last year.
Among the items delivered were medicine, medical equipment, food, and winter supplies such as blankets, tents and clothing.
The humanitarian aid was made possible following contributions by the Malaysian public, agencies, and companies made to Akaun Amanah Kemanusiaan Rakyat Palestine (AAKRP).