KUALA LUMPUR – The Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia has reminded Malaysians against contributing to dubious donation drives claiming to help Palestinians affected by the violence in Gaza.
Speaking to Scoop, Walid Abu Ali stressed the importance of ensuring that donations intended for Palestine reach their intended recipients, cautioning Malaysians about the importance of directing their contributions to the right channels while underlining the need for transparency and accountability.
“Did Malaysians ever ask the question of the beneficiary of the contributions? When you contribute, have you ever asked the question? Did your contribution reach its (intended) destination?” he asked when met at his office today.
Despite the friendly caution, the ambassador’s remarks served as a reminder to ensure that charitable efforts made by Malaysians have a direct and positive impact on the Palestinian people.
However, he noted that the generosity of Malaysians showed the robust and enduring support they have shown for Palestine.
“I don’t think any Palestinian can question the ongoing support of Malaysians to Palestine,” he said, noting the power of the Palestinian cause in uniting Malaysians.
“We believe, and I believe, that Palestine is in the heart of all Malaysians.”
In April this year, Walid expressed deep disappointment over the misuse of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s name for fundraising, as the funds collected often do not reach their intended recipients.
This was a repeat of allegations he made in 2020, in which he claimed that donations raised by some Malaysian non-governmental organisations had failed to reach the mosque fund for years.
In response, a number of NGOs insisted that funds raised were channelled to humanitarian aid, and were audited.
When tabling Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will provide assistance for the Palestinians – including providing funds of RM10 million.
This was on top of the RM1 million initial fund announced by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir on Thursday.
On Sunday Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said all government investment companies, government-linked companies and private companies would raise at least RM100 million due to the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip.
The recent round of violence in Palestine, which involve Hamas – the governing power in Gaza – and the Israeli government, have led to thousands of deaths on both sides since October 7.
To address concerns about the distribution of donations, Walid said that, as an ambassador, he has never solicited or personally received any contributions.
Instead, all funds are channelled through a bank account created in collaboration with Wisma Putra, under the ministry’s supervision and control.
He pointed to a recent example where Zambry handed over an RM1 million mock cheque for urgent humanitarian aid for Palestine in the Malaysian Parliament.
The ambassador stressed that he does not handle any money directly and that all donations are forwarded through the proper channels to ensure they reach their intended recipients.
Walid also assured Malaysians that his only requests for contributions, organised by the embassy here, are directed toward two specific causes, Palestinian students in Malaysia and the Palestinian community in the country.
These contributions are channelled to beneficiaries without any intermediary, he said.
“You can contribute directly to those who are in need,” he said.
In response to concerns about fundraising for Al-Aqsa Mosque, the ambassador encouraged Malaysians to contribute to the Hashemite Fund for the Restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, controlled by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
He suggested that contributions can be made through the Malaysian embassy in Amman, Jordan, which can coordinate the process.
For humanitarian aid, Walid suggested that contributions can be forwarded through the Malaysian embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and the Palestinian Red Crescent, which provides services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, and beyond.
To facilitate the contributions announced by the Malaysian government, Walid revealed that they would be shipped from Malaysia to Gaza through Egypt.
He added that such efforts should be coordinated on a government-to-government basis and encouraged all interested parties, whether individuals, institutions, governmental, or non-governmental bodies, to liaise with Wisma Putra, NGO Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR), or the Malaysian embassy in Cairo. – October 16, 2023