SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PALESTINIAN STUDENTS
They can pursue tertiary studies at 12 Malaysian universities
THE government has offered scholarships for Palestinians to pursue their Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD courses at 12 local universities.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the scholarships worth RM11.47 million would be channelled through the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia.
“To all Palestinian students who are selected, congratulations and all the best in your studies,” he said at the 9th grand Iftar programme with the Palestinian community.
Present were the prime minister’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and several cabinet ministers.
The universities include the AlBukhary International University, Management and Science University, Mahsa University and Sunway University.
Dr Mahathir warned that as long as the Palestinians were denied justice, the Middle East
would forever be in conflict, giving birth to terrorism and militancy, which in turn would spread to the rest of the world.
“Terrorism and militancy are the direct result of the state terrorism committed by Israel, a matter conveniently ignored or brushed aside by the powerful Western nations. Not only do they ignore it, they even provide weapons and legitimacy for the Israeli regime to commit genocidal acts and crimes of aggression and against humanity.
“That is the truth, an inconvenient truth to the nations that protect, support and legitimise Israel,” said Dr Mahathir.
He added that there was nothing ambiguous or vague about the plight of the Palestinians.
“It is a story about a once free people who had lost their land forcibly through brutal occupation which was committed blatantly for the whole world to see.
“The persecution ranged from apartheid, genocide, terrorism, killings, murders to land grab. These crimes are still being pursued by the Israeli regime,” he said.
He said any attempts by any nation to raise the issue of the Palestinians would result in them being labelled as being antiSemitic, a strong reason for the Western countries to impose sanctions and other punitive measures on those who speak up against Israel.
“Today, the very nations that created the monstrosity called Israel, are still up to their mischief, rewarding Israel with Jerusalem by declaring it Israel’s capital.
“Nations that profess to defend human rights seem helpless or intentionally oblivious to Israel’s murderous rampage. They remain silent over the widespread belief that Israel possesses nuclear arsenal and weapons of mass destruction.”
“Therefore, standing up for Palestine is a moral obligation and Malaysia will continue to condemn Israel over its aggression and cruelties committed against Palestinians.”
Dr Mahathir also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.
“We have and will always stand by you. And we will not keep quiet for as long as we see the atrocities and injustices committed by the Israeli regime,” he said.