KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is currently awaiting official approval from the United Nations (UN) to send a peacekeeping force to Gaza in support of a humanitarian and security mission.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari confirmed that the government has already communicated its intentions to the UN Security Council. However, a formal mandate is still required before any final decisions can be made, Bernama reported.
“We are always prepared to deploy peacekeepers for international assignments and have a battalion on standby for such missions,” said Adly.
He emphasised that any deployment to Gaza must also consider the consent of the Palestinian people, in line with Malaysia’s stance on a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. “Achieving peace in Palestine requires a holistic approach,” he added.
Speaking to reporters during the state legislative assembly session in Melaka, Adly reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts. This includes the ongoing deployment of 150 peacekeepers under the Malaysia Battalion (MALBATT) 850-12 in Lebanon, with the mission set to conclude by the end of next year.
“Our forces are always ready to be mobilised to any location requiring an international peacekeeping mission,” he said.
Reports previously indicated that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is still awaiting an official directive from the UN to proceed with the Gaza mission. MAF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, confirmed that the armed forces are prepared for deployment when the order is given. – December 9, 2025