KELAB PUTERA 1MALAYSIA HUMANITARIAN MISSION VISITS PALESTINIAN PM

Syed Azwan Syed Ali

GAZA CITY, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The humanitarian mission to Gaza sponsored by
Kelab Putera 1Malaysia (1Malaysia Putera Club) in cooperation with the Malaysian
Red Cross Society was given the honour to meet Palestinian Prime Minister,
Ismail Haniyeh, here Wednesday.

The 22-member volunteers led by club President, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, arrived
at the government building at 12.10pm local time(Gaza time is six hours earlier
than Malaysia) after leaving the Al-Quds hospital.

In the one-hour meeting, Ismail welcomed the team which was here to deliver
humanitarian aid of foodstuffs, clothing, blankets and medicines as contribution
from the people of Malaysia to more than 2,000 families in several settlement
areas in the conflict region for the Ramadan.

“You are all welcome here in Gaza, land of the Palestinians,” Ismail, the
highest-ranked Hamas leader who is well-known throughout the world, told the
Malaysian group through an interpreter.

Also present was the Political Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Norhaidi Che
Dan and MRCS Vice-Chairman Dr Bahari Abu Mansor, who is also the adviser to the
humanitarian group, apart from the Palestinian government leaders in Gaza.

The Palestinian Prime Minister said he was aware of the presence of the group
from Malaysia comprising 67 volunteers including 35 doctors of various races,
and he praised the spirit of 1Malaysia unity shown in the team coming from a
Muslim multi-racial country.

Ismail also appreciated the continuous contribution from the people of Malaysia
through non-governmental bodies and the government from Dr Mahathir Mohamad
until the present Prime Minister Najib Razak, for the independence of
Palestinian people.

In his reply, Abdul Azeez, who is also an UMNO Supereme Council member,
expressed appreciation to Ismail for inviting them to meet him after the team
had entered Gaza via the Rafah border on Monday.

“In Malaysia, Palestinians are not very far from our heart,” he told Ismail,
adding that the purpose of the group's visit was also to send 35 doctors of
various races to help the Palestinian people and be placed at several hospitals
and clinics in Gaza.
-- BERNAMA