Palestine Embassy In Malaysia Explains Status On Al-Rimal Clinic In Gaza

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The Palestine embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday clarified that the efforts to rebuild the Al-Rimal clinic in Gaza are still in progress, thanks to the US$1 million contribution by the Malaysian government last year. The funds have been deposited with Palestine's ministry of finance. Palestine ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali said this in clarifying a news report where the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) had called on the Palestine Authority to “come clean” on the failure of a project to rebuild the health facilities in Gaza destroyed by an Israeli attack in May 2021. Mapim President Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid had expressed his shock at news that the Gaza authorities did not receive Malaysia's aid for the project to rebuild the health facilities there which were destroyed by the Israeli attack. On Oct 14, 2021, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Walid signed the exchange of notes for the Malaysian government's contribution of US$1/05 million (RM5 million) for the rebuilding of Al-Rimal Clinic in Gaza which has a COVID-19 testing laboratory. Walid said on Nov 22, 2021, the embassy had informed the Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) that Palestine's Ministry of Finance in Ramallah had acknowledged receipt of US$1,189,343.48 from the government of Malaysia in favour of the rebuilding of the clinic in Gaza. However, the rebuilding of the clinic could not be done immediately as lots of hurdles have to be surmounted beforehand, especially in seeking clearance from the Israeli side as it sits on the occupied territory. "You need to get clearance from the Israel site even if you are to bring in one kilogramme of cement. Clearance from Israel is also needed to bring in construction workers from outside and others," he said to Bernama in his office. Walid assured Malaysians that the Al-Rimal clinic will be rebuilt under the supervision of the special committee set up for the purpose represented by the country's Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and expatriates under the prime minister's office. Walid also showed Bernama the copy of the fund transfer documents and the letter of acknowledgment from Wisma Putra on the clarification from the Palestinian side. The diplomat is disappointed over Mapim's irresponsible claims and said that its president or the media could have approached the embassy or even Wisma Putra for clarification beforehand. "No Palestinians question Malaysia's unwavering support and solidarity for Palestine, at all levels be it political, government, financial, economic, or education. Those individuals or groups who are creating misunderstandings in terms of bilateral relations aim to destroy the excellent relations between both countr’ies. The embassy emphasises that these people who should stop doing what they are doing. -- BERNAMA