Hamas trio not in Malaysia, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday denied speculation that three Hamas operatives are in Malaysia.

He said the Immigration Department confirmed the nonpresence of the three, who were allegedly seeking refuge in Malaysia.

Zahid was responding to reports which said that top Hamas commander, Saleh al-Arouri, was in Malaysia after being expelled from Qatar.

“These names have been sent to the Immigration Department, checked and confirmed that they are not in Malaysia.”

On whether Malaysia was being pressured to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar, Zahid said: “We want to remain friends with all countries. Let’s leave it to them to resolve the disputes among themselves.

“I hope that they will solve these problems as soon as possible. Malaysia will continue to maintain diplomatic ties with Qatar,” he said at a breaking-of-fast event at Police Training Centre here yesterday.

On another matter, Zahid suggested a more holistic investigation be carried out on the abuse and death of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) student Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain.

“It is not just on bullying but other elements. We want the students who are studying in UPNM to graduate and achieve high standards.”