'Those who wish to return can be sent home' - Palestinian Ambassador
Walid clarified that those seeking repatriation had submitted written requests to expedite their return to Egypt.
SHAH ALAM - The Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali expresses agreement that Palestinians residing in the country should be allowed to return home if they personally request it.
Walid clarified that those seeking repatriation had submitted written requests to expedite their return to Egypt. He emphasised that these requests were voluntary and not made under any coercion.
"This matter is under discussion with the Malaysian authorities. The Palestinian Embassy and the Malaysian government are also working hard to provide the best assistance," he told Sinar.
Walid also conveyed deep regret and sadness over the incident, which he believed might have been driven by the emotional strain of prolonged separation from family members.
"I am deeply saddened by what has happened. The incident clearly contradicts our ethics and culture. Personally, I will do whatever I can to help," he said.
The commotion at Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur on Saturday involved Palestinian men, women and children.
Videos that went viral depicted a woman holding a banner in English that read, "No deportation needed, we need to go back to Egypt."
Other footage showed the group gathered outside the building, burning something on the tarmac, with uniformed officers standing nearby.
This marks the second such incident at Wisma Transit, following a similar commotion in Oct 2024 involving two Palestinian women who were dissatisfied with being restricted from leaving the building for safety reasons.
To provide context, Malaysia welcomed 127 Palestinians in August last year, including 41 injured during Israeli attacks on Gaza, for medical treatment.
The injured were treated at the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital, while their relatives were housed at Wisma Transit.
