PM HAPPY MALAYSIANS CONTRIBUTING GENEROUSLY TO PALESTINE

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Thursday night expressed happiness over the willingness of
the people of various communities and religions in the country in extending
contributions to ease the suffering of the people of Palestine.

The prime minister said their concern showed that Malaysians were one in
thought and character in offering assistance to the victims of cruelty of the
Zionist regime.

"I am most happy that the people coming forward with contributions are just
Muslims and Malays but of all communities and religions and they are united in
spirit in providing the aid," he said after attending special prayers seeking
the safety of the people of Palestine, at the Stadium Negeri, in this capital of
Malaysia's east coast state of Terengganu.

Terengganu Chief Minister Ahmad Said, International Trade and Industry
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, Information Minister
Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Palestine ambassador to Malaysia Abdelaziz Aboughosh and
the ruling Barisan Nasional candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary
by-election, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, joined the 500 people at the prayers.

Abdullah said the stand of Malaysians that the Israeli atrocities in
Palestine should cease immediately reflected the strong unity in this country.

At the function, Ahmad handed over to Abdelaziz the Terengganu government's
contribution of RM1 million (US$280,309) for the people of Palestine.

Last Monday, the Lower House of Parliament held a special sitting to condemn
the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and urged the United Nations to hold an
emergency general assembly session to discuss the matter.

The UN is scheduled to hold a special general assembly session Friday.
-- BERNAMA