KUALA LUMPUR – A tweet put up by a pro-Aman Palestin X account accusing the home minister and Malaysia of supporting Israel amid the brutal siege on Gaza has been made in bad faith, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The home minister has condemned the post and photo, saying it is meant to fabricate an evil narrative against him and the country as Malaysia is a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause.
He also clarified that the photo was of him attending the UN General Assembly with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other Malaysian delegates last year.
“Israel, jangan perasan. The Malaysian prime minister is clear in his condemnation of Israel’s actions on the world stage,” Saifuddin posted.
Saya menganggap tujuan posting ini dinaikkan semula adalah bertujuan mencipta naratif jahat dan fitnah ke atas saya dan kerajaan Malaysia.
— Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (@saifnasution) February 23, 2024
Kehadiran saya seperti dalam gambar ni adalah atas kapasiti saya sebagai salah satu delegasi dan mendengar ucapan YAB Perdana Menteri di… https://t.co/mwOynC0m36
He added that he was there with other delegates listening to Anwar’s speech at the general assembly.
This came after an X account known as Kopitiam Malaya shared a tweet by Israeli politician Danny Danon on September 22 last year. Kopitiam Malaya has been putting up tweets in support of embattled non-governmental organisation Aman Palestin.
Danon had sarcastically posited that Malaysia could be the next country enjoying an Israel visa exemption.
“After the visa exemption for the US, the next destination – maybe Malaysia? It warms the heart to see Malaysian representatives during the speech by the Israeli prime minister,” he had tweeted in Hebrew.
Separately, two Aman Palestin board members and one affiliate claimed trial on February 15 to 164 charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and cheating involving RM45.5 million in funds linked to the NGO.
The trio are accused of having committed the offences, including marking up the prices of gold sold to Aman Palestin and using the NGO’s monies to purchase properties and a luxurious vehicle, between 2018 and 2023 within their capacity as Samudra Champa Sdn Bhd directors.
Another Samudra Champa director, Khairudin Mohd Ali, 49, similarly pleaded not guilty to three counts of money laundering amounting to RM6.03 million. – February 23, 2024