Malaysia's police keeping an eye on those wanting to go to Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war
This for security reasons, says police chief.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian police chief has urged the people not to travel to Palestine and instead to express solidarity with Palestinians by channelling aid via peaceful means amid a war between Israel and Hamas that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.
Razarudin Husain advised the public not to go to conflict areas for security reasons, according to a police statement.
He said the police have mobilised the relevant elements, especially the Special Branch, to ensure there is “no involvement of Malaysians to the point of creating a personal safety risk.”
Husain also advised all levels of society who want to send aid to check the legitimacy of the channels who manage the donations and take careful steps to avoid becoming victims of scammers.
"The public needs to be vigilant to avoid being entangled with the irresponsible actions of those trying to make a profit...prayers and moral support of Malaysians is the best form of solidarity for the oppressed Palestinians," he said.
Husain said the federal police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department will also increase monitoring and take strict actions if any party is detected trying to take advantage of the situation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Malaysian police chief’s statement succinctly asks people not to travel to Gaza to channel aid but also apparently warns citizens sympathetic to the Palestinian cause against travelling there to join the armed fight.
Israel’s ground invasion into northern Gaza is expected as residents there are ordered to leave their homes for the southern part of Gaza as a response to Hamas’s deadly incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7.