UNIMAGINABLE SUFFERING UNFOLDING IN GAZA, MALAYSIA SAYS AT D-8 MEETING IN CAIRO

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has urged swift and decisive action to alleviate the unimaginable suffering in Gaza following Israel’s relentless genocidal war against the Palestinian people

Speaking at the 21st Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers Meeting in conjunction with the 48th Session of the D-8 Commission in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, Malaysian Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir expressed alarm over the escalating crisis in the Middle East caused by Israeli attacks.

 “We are indeed deeply troubled by the unimaginable suffering unfolding in Gaza. The situation is a stain on our collective conscience. We witness the entire process of dehumanisation of an entire people, particularly in Palestine.

“The precarious situations in Palestine, Lebanon, and now in Syria must be handled expeditiously as the arrival of winter will further aggravate the dire situation of the war-stricken people,” he said.

Zambry is representing Malaysia at the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and related meetings in Cairo, Egypt, starting Wednesday.

The Middle East crisis featured prominently during Wednesday's D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers session, attended by ministers and senior representatives.

According to a statement by the D-8 on X, “A major part of the discussions centered on the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The ministers strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and called for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the affected regions.”

The session also deliberated on key documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Joint Communique on the Situation in Gaza and Lebanon, both of which will be presented to the Leaders at the Summit for adoption,” it said.

 Zambry is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s national statement at the 11th D-8 Summit on Thursday.  He will also address the Special Session on the Situation in Palestine and Lebanon.

Zambry said Malaysia commends the government of Egypt for convening the special session on the situation in Palestine and Lebanon, and supports the adoptions of the joint communique which underscores the importance and urgencies of addressing these critical issues.

Established in Istanbul, Turkiye, on June 15, 1997, the D-8 is a group of developing Islamic nations formed to promote economic development. Its members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkiye.

Meanwhile, Zambry said Malaysia welcomes Azerbaijan as the latest member of the D-8 Organisation, which will enrich economic and trade cooperation.

In a statement, Zambry said he had held bilateral meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister; the Secretary-General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation; the Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh; the Foreign Minister of Pakistan; and the Foreign Minister of Egypt.

“All of them expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia in various sectors,” he said.

Zambry also emphasised Malaysia’s support for collective acceptance to resolve the critical situations in Palestine, Lebanon, and neighbouring countries.

The 11th D-8 Summit is themed “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.”

-- BERNAMA