PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 — Malaysia is to use its position as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for two years from next year to intensify efforts to defend Palestine against the atrocities of the Zionist regime, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.  

He said the government had decided that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman would raise issues on Palestine at related meetings of the UNSC. 

“Malaysia will surely play its role to champion Palestine and its people and, most importantly, save the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Zionists,” he told a press conference after launching the ‘Save Al-Quds Global Campaign’ here today. 

The ‘Save Al-Quds Global Campaign’, of which Ahmad Zahid is the patron, is an initiative to enlighten the people on the critical state of affairs of Al-Quds and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as pressure Israel to stop the Judaisation of Al-Quds. 

Ahmad Zahid said the existence of Palestine, now recognised by 134 countries, raised awareness among the international community on the need for its proper defence. 

“Although some countries which are our friends are friendly towards Israel, we hope the growing support for Palestine will indirectly pressure the major powers that have supported Israel all along to bow to the demand of the international community which wants an end to violence,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said that he would look into a suggestion that foreign preachers be subjected to police screening before they were allowed to give talks.

The suggestion was made by Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division principal assistant director SAC Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

The minister said police officers knew better issues related to extremism and militancy. ­— Bernama