Malaysia Ready To Deploy MAF Battalion To Gaza For Peacekeeping Mission – Mohamed Khaled

PETALING JAYA, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has reiterated that Malaysia is ready to deploy a battalion of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to Gaza if selected by the United Nations (UN) to carry out a peacekeeping mission in the conflict-torn territory.

He said a battalion of the MAF had already been registered for that purpose, and Malaysia was now awaiting the decision of the UN Security Council regarding the deployment of a peacekeeping force to Gaza.

“During the meeting of defence ministers from countries with peacekeeping forces, we expressed our readiness and intention to be there to help.

But we are waiting for the UN Security Council meeting to make its decision. If Malaysia is selected to send a force, we are ready with one battalion,” he told reporters after launching the PERHEBAT Transformation Plan 2026-2035 at Royale Chulan Damansara here today.

Commenting further, Mohamed Khaled said the battalion prepared for the Gaza mission would not involve the Malaysian contingent currently serving in Lebanon.

“That (the Lebanon contingent) is rotated every year — we recall one group and send another. So, we have other battalions on standby,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that the cost of deploying the Malaysian peacekeeping force was not a priority at this stage, as what mattered most was Malaysia’s desire to help the Palestinian people, who had long suffered from the ongoing conflict.

“If we truly want to help, we don’t need to talk about cost first,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled also emphasised that Malaysia remained committed to global peace efforts and steadfast in upholding universal humanitarian principles that formed the foundation of the country’s support for the Palestinian cause.

-- BERNAMA