Malaysia to donate another $30.6m in aid to Gaza

PM Anwar criticises Israeli government over man-made famine created there

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will donate another RM100 million ($30.6 million) to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Aug 24.

In a special address at Kuala Lumpur’s Independence Square, he said that the Malaysian government first announced RM100 million in aid for Palestine in 2023.

“Tonight, I announce here that Malaysia will donate another RM100 million,” he said.

“I’m requesting Malaysians to please remember that this country is peaceful and independent. Learn from this and preserve peace and freedom for all.”

In a strongly worded remark, Datuk Seri Anwar criticised the Israeli government over the man-made famine in Gaza, where dozens are dying from starvation and aid seekers are killed on a daily basis.

“All kinds of help were given, but these Zionists decided to let the aid go rotten,” he said. “Work hard in life. This is an anti-Zionist struggle. But you need not be afraid and intimidated. I have never been afraid and I have never seen such arrogance” (Benjamin Netanyahu).

He said Malaysia would “never abandon the Palestinians in their struggle”.

“Articulate your spirit of struggle. We will never leave you alone in your difficult moments, and you are not forsaken,” he added.

Mr Anwar said that he has supported the Gaza cause since he was a youth, when he was invited by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to Algiers, Algeria for a Palestinian Liberation Organisation conference in 1983.

“Now, in 2025, it is still the same,” lamented Mr Anwar.

He added that Malaysia, as a country that was formerly colonised by the English before 1957, is firmly opposed to any form of colonisation.

“What is happening in Gaza now is a form of colonisation,” he said.

Quoting the late Palestinian-American academic Edward Said, Mr Anwar said the scholar had also reminded the world not to abandon the Palestinians.

“Don’t forget that everything you have, is carved away from you. Your lands, your house, family, life,” he said.

After Mr Anwar’s speech, a prayer session for Gaza was held.

Mr Anwar left Independence Square at about 10.20pm.

Also present were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Zaliha Mustafa and Chief Secretary to the Government Samsudin Abu Bakar.

Tens of thousands of Malaysians gathered in the solidarity rally in support of Gaza.

Some of those who were holding placards that read #GazaBangkit were seen in areas and spots where the main stage was set up at the square.

Mr Anwar also launched and flagged off Sundul Nusantara Convoy, which will pass through Indonesia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand, before stopping in Gaza on Sept 1 and Sept 8.

Organisers would depart for Spain and for Tunisia before heading to the Global Flotilla en route to Gaza.

The convoy will be the largest flotilla movement, involving dozens of movements and more than 50 ships.