Malaysia's Support For Gaza: A Drop In The Ocean Or A Vital Lifeline?

By Wong Chun Wai

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Malaysia intends to build a hospital, school and mosque in Gaza has led to various reactions.

While there are those who feel that this is something that Malaysia can afford to carry out in a place that has been completely razed to the ground, others feel that charity should begin at home.

They pointed out that many schools and hospitals, especially in the rural areas, needed immediate attention and they deserve priority over the Palestinians, but we need to take a step back as we discuss this issue in order to have a better perspective of the case.

For one, not many Malaysians are aware that, in 2019, the Dr Siti Hasmah and Enaya Physiotherapy Centre, a medical facility, was set up in Palestine by Malaysia.

Located in Khan Younis, in the southern part of Gaza, it was a collaborative effort involving the Perdana Global Peace Foundation founded by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, alongside other Malaysian non-governmental organisations. The facility was designed to provide physiotherapy and rehabilitation services to residents in the area.

Without a doubt, the facility was a noble idea but tragically, a year later, the centre was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. It was reported at that time, five Palestinian families had sought refuge in the facility after their homes were bombed. Four members of these families perished in the strike.

There is also an Indonesian hospital in north Gaza that is used to treat patients or the wounded, but it is reportedly out of service now. Construction of the hospital started in 2011 and finally opened in 2016. The project cost IDR126 billion (RM34.25 million) and was funded by the Indonesian people, the Indonesian Red Cross Society and Muhammadiyah, a non-governmental organisation.

In November 2023, as part of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, at least 12 people were killed in the attacks at the hospital. Last month, Israeli soldiers surrounded the hospital, where many displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, according to Al-Jazeera.

Malaysia has in the past donated huge amounts of money, certainly running into millions of ringgit, to help rebuild Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Bosnian War (1992-1995). We provided food, medical supplies, and financial aid to Bosnia refugees and displaced persons during and after the war.

Malaysia also invested in Bosnia’s rebuilding efforts, including infrastructure efforts, telecommunications and banking, as we helped to rebuild roads, bridges, and buildings destroyed during the war.

I had the opportunity to travel with Dr Mahathir to see firsthand the destruction of Bosnia shortly after the war ended.

Lest we forget Dr Mahathir also offered scholarships for Bosnian students to study in Malaysian universities. If we do the same for the Palestinians today, there will be an outcry from some. 

Former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who was critical of Malaysia's plans in Gaza, should certainly remember our multi-million ringgit aid to the Bosnians.

We played our role to defend the African National Congress (ANC) against the South African apartheid regime. Certainly, Malaysia provided direct financial aid to the ANC to support its political and resistance activities. Again, Malaysia also offered scholarships and education opportunities for South Africans affected by apartheid.

This writer was there in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1990 to witness Dr Mahathir – the only non-African leader – to welcome iconic ANC leader, the late Nelson Mandela, following his release.

So, why should countries including Malaysia help Gaza? There are plenty of compelling humanitarian reasons, rooted in human rights, international laws, and simple moral responsibility.

Surely as decent human beings, we cannot turn a blind eye to helping the thousands of people including women and children, who are affected by displacement, injuries and loss of immediate families and livelihoods. These are not Hamas fighters or terrorists but simply fellow human beings.

Have some of us lost our hearts and sense of helping people? 

Do you have prejudices against them because they are Muslims? Well, there are many Christian Palestinians too.

There is even a 140-year-old Baptist Hospital which was bombed by the Israelis killing over 500 people.

The International Law specifically states that civilians in conflict zones should have access to humanitarian aid, but Israel has completely impeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The people in Gaza are struggling to cope with its healthcare system that has been destroyed.

That’s not to forget that extreme hardship and desperation can fuel radicalization while humanitarian aid provides hope and creates stability.

All religions promote the importance of helping those in distress. It is about preserving human lives and dignity, alleviating suffering and upholding international humanitarian values.

Malaysia’s pledge to build a school, hospital and mosque in Gaza, if it materializes, is just a drop in the ocean.

We are not talking about rebuilding the entire Gaza, and it is not even going to be easy to construct these Malaysian projects.

United States President Donald Trump already has plans to get rid of the Palestinians and in his own words, “take over” the place, and end any hopes of creating a Palestinian state – much to the glee of Israel.  

-- BERNAMA 

* The writer, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, who has been a journalist for over 40 years, is currently the chairman of BERNAMA, the Malaysian National News Agency