Kuala Lumpur: The government is making arrangements to repatriate 127 Palestinians, including 41 injured individuals who were brought to Malaysia for medical treatment, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, stated that the decision was discussed in a Cabinet meeting last week and is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, both ministries are finalizing the details of the repatriation, confirming that all individuals are in good health. The Palestinians who sustained injuries have received treatment and have expressed a desire to return home. Ahmad Zahid mentioned that the ongoing ceasefire offers an opportune moment for their return. This announcement was made during a press conference following the closing ceremony of the KKDW Retreat 2025.
The ceasefire agreement, lasting 42 days, between Israel and Hamas in Gaza took effect today. Last year on August 16, Malaysia welcomed 127 Palestinians, including 41 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The injured were treated at Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, while their relatives stayed at the Kuala Lumpur Transit House (WTKL).
Ahmad Zahid also noted that Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali, has apologized for incidents involving Palestinians at WTKL, acknowledging the stress caused by their prolonged stay in Malaysia. Two incidents were reported, one in January and another in October last year.
In a related development, Ahmad Zahid, as chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), disclosed that the government has assigned the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to investigate a recent controversy regarding a “ham sandwich” product. The closure of two retail outlets selling the sandwich by a public university was an immediate response.
Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of handling religious matters with care and recommended measures to prevent similar issues in the future. He remarked that the retail chain had withdrawn the product, considering it an error that should serve as a lesson. On January 15, JAKIM Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee reported that an inspection conducted with KPDN on January 10 found that the ‘Ham and Cheese Sandwich’ product lacked a Malaysian Halal Certification and the producing company was not an SPHM holder.