MESSAGE TO PALESTINE: "YOU'RE NOT ALONE"

From Muin Abdul Majid

AMMAN, June 4 (Bernama) -- In the wake of an attempt by activists to break
the Gaza sea blockade with tragic consequences earlier this week, Malaysia has
this message to the people of Gaza and Palestinians: "You are not alone and you
will not be forgotten."

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the Malaysian
government would not stop the country's non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
from extending aid to Palestinians or people in dire straits in other parts of
the world.

"This is such a noble deed that we all should be proud of those who do it,"
he told Bernama here Thursday after calling on the Royal Court chief, Nasser
Lozi, and meeting with his Jordanian counterpart, Naseer Judeh.

Anifah is in the Jordanian capital to oversee arrangements for the return to
Malaysia of 12 Malaysians, including two media personnel, who were on board a
Turkish humanitarian aid vessel seized by Israeli forces on Monday.

They were released on Wednesday and are scheduled to leave for Istanbul on
Friday en route to Malaysia.

According to the minister, Jordan's King Abdullah II had personally
instructed the Jordanian foreign ministry to assist the Malaysian nationals
captured by Israel in the incident in international waters with several people
reported killed.

"So, on behalf of the King, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, I
expressed our gratitude to the Jordanian monarch," Anifah said of his talks with
Lozi.

He said a similar expression of gratitude by the government and people of
Malaysia was conveyed to Judeh for the safe passage of the 12 out of Israel into
Jordan.

"I believe that without Jordan's assistance, the group would not have been
released that quickly," Anifah said.

The two countries, he said, concurred on the need to bring Israel to book
over the deadly assault on the "Mavi Marmara" aid vessel.


"We'd also like America to be an honest broker in the Middle East," he said.

To a question, Anifah said Malaysia lauded initiatives by Malaysian NGOs or
those from other countries to help alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.

"Israel may doubt their intentions but I believe that they're sincere in
trying to extend a helping hand," he added.

-- BERNAMA