KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's care and concern for the people is widely known in Malaysia and this dedication for humanity of the prime minister has now traversed borders.
The capability of Najib in playing a key role as the intermediary in the Bangsamoro conflict with the Philippines government last year signalled clearly the ability of Malaysia to handle international issues.
Now, after becoming the first Malaysian prime minister to set foot on Palestinian soil when he made a humanitarian visit to the Gaza Peninsula yesterday, he clearly harbours the hope that peace can be established there.
Academicians and political figures, when asked on the significance of the prime minister's bold visit to an area where stability has not been secured, said it was proof of Malaysia's deep concern for the people of Palestine and Najib could be aptly called a leader who championed Muslims globally.
Dr Amini Amir Abdullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said that apart from raising the personal image of the prime minister, the humanitarian visit by the initiator of the Global Movement of the Moderates could further facilitate peace talks among the rival parties in Palestine and signal Islamic countries and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to act quickly.
He said the people should be proud to have a leader who was bold to visit the Gaza Peninsula, which was populated by 1.7 million Palestinian citizens, as it would create a major impact in 2013.
"The insecurity there did not stop Najib from gaining first-hand knowledge of the plight of the Palestinians, and it truly reflects a courageous move by a prime minister. "From this historic event, Najib has taken the bold move to strengthen diplomatic ties with Palestine. "... I believe the visit is yet another move by Malaysia to show Muslim unity beyond geographical boundaries," he said when contacted by Bernama.
On certain groups linking the visit to fishing for votes in the upcoming general election, the lecturer at the Faculty of Human Ecology said it was a coincidence as a prime minister's visit to an area in conflict could not be hastily organised.
Amini Amir said the issue of fishing for votes should not be raised as the support of Malaysia and the country's leadership for the people of Palestine was not alien to Malaysians.
"I believe it can become an issue but critics should look positively at the wider perspective that Malaysia under Najib looks at the issue of problems faced by Muslims from a global point of view," he said.
He said the definition of diplomatic relations, which was linked to concluding agreements, should be redefined to cover face-to-face meetings as undertaken by Najib yesterday.
The prime minister's visit would certainly bring the bilateral relations of the two countries to a higher level, he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Distance Learning Centre lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said the proven approach of having face-to-face meetings and negotiations, as applied by Malaysia in ending conflicts, could bring the Hamas and Fatah groups to the negotiation table.
"Malaysia holds a good record as an intermediary in ending the civil war in the Southern Philippines and it was not impossible for the same role to be played by the prime minister in the Palestinian issue," he said.
He said the move had its own risks but the role of Malaysia acknowledged by the Islamic countries and the OIC leaders should be continued for the sake of the Palestinians.
"Malaysia needs to play the role and we cannot disappoint them; in fact anybody at all can provide support and aid without being hindered by political ideology," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the humanitarian visit of the prime minister to Gaza had raised the profile of Malaysia as a country sensitive to the struggle of the Palestinians.
"Congratulations! It showed that the prime minister is a courageous and responsible leader who can be a champion of the Muslims of the world and not just of Malaysians," he said.
Ahmad, who is also Umno Information chief, said the assistance offered by Malaysia as the intermediary in the peace plan between Hamas and Fatah showed that Malaysia was a champion in handling the issues affecting Muslims in the Middle East.
"There is no better way ... this is the best approach, by setting foot in Gaza, to express our support for the Palestinians," he said when speaking at a meeting with a Palestinian Cabinet minister in Gaza City yesterday. -- BERNAMA--
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