04/03/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAR 4, 2026

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Malaysia urged to step up diplomatic pressure on Israel

Gaza reveals crisis in global humanitarian action: NGO KUALA LUMPUR: The genocide in Gaza may mark a turning point for global humanitarian action, as Doctors Without Borders warns that erosion of international humanitarian law and paralysis at the United Nations (UN) could reshape how aid is delivered in future conflicts. Its Australia head of programmes Simon Eccleshall yesterday described Gaza as unprecedented in scale and consequence for humanitarian actors. “Gaza has been a game changer for humanitarian actors. It is the first livestreamed genocide that we have ever had. “We have had unprecedented evidence and access for media throughout this crisis and yet that has not been enough to change world leaders’ sentiments to put a stop to this.” He said the number of humanitarian and medical workers killed and the repeated targeting of hospitals and health facilities represented a departure from previous conflicts. “When this has happened in the past, there has been universal outrage. The UN passed new resolutions to prevent attacks on hospitals. “In Gaza, we saw this as a daily occurrence. States did not act. Resolutions were vetoed. “There was no independent investigation. That undermines the foundations of how we work.” The failure of the UN to intervene decisively, particularly amid the use of veto powers by permanent members, exposed structural weaknesses in the global system designed to protect civilians, he said. “Twenty years ago, when civilian harm became disproportionate, the UN would step in. That did not happen in Gaza. “We are seeing an erosion of international humanitarian law and a weakening of the UN. The question now is whether this is temporary or whether the world order as we knew it has changed.” Eccleshall said the shrinking of principled humanitarian space could lead to the emergence of alternative models not grounded in neutrality or independence. “The worry at the moment is that humanitarianism as we knew it is dead. There is a new humanitarianism coming up that is not principles-based but interests-based. “We saw new models of food distribution that were not how Doctors Without Borders or traditional NGOs operate. We are not worried about being replaced by another organisation. “We are worried that what replaces us is not humanitarian, that it is driven by money, land, politics or race. “If principled humanitarian actors are not protected, you will not see us on the ground. You will not see journalists there either to witness or report. That should concern everyone.” Doctors Without Borders maintained that restoring respect for international humanitarian law and reinforcing multilateral mechanisms are essential to preserving humanitarian space in future conflicts. – By Faiz Ruzman

constrained by political realities and cannot resolve diplomatic impasses on their own, he said. “We have had 45 trucks waiting at the border since January that have not been allowed in. Some of those trucks have been through checks six and seven times and they are rejected. “Maybe on the eighth or ninth time they might allow a truck through. There is no predictability.” Even when entry is permitted, certain items are restricted under “dual-use” classifications. “A scalpel is designated as dual-use because it could be used as a weapon. Diesel needed to run hospital generators and desalination plants has been blocked because it is viewed as having potential military use.” He said such restrictions have constrained ICUs, water systems and other critical infrastructure. While Malaysian medical

it is also cultural and economic. Traditional Malay, Orang Asli and Orang Asal healing practices depend on forest biodiversity. “When these species vanish, centuries of knowledge disappear with them. Rural communities that rely on sustainable harvesting for supplementary income also stand to lose vital livelihoods.” Mohideen called for a holistic response involving the government, communities and researchers, including promoting sustainable harvesting, ethical trade and the preservation of traditional knowledge to ensure future generations continue to benefit from these natural resources while maintaining ecosystem balance. – Bernama “In Afghanistan, for example, the Taliban would say, ‘Doctors Without Borders, we trust you. You can bring in any nationalities you like, except Americans. Other passports are fine.’ “Navigating the legal barriers and ensuring evacuation routes are viable is something we look at very carefully.” Eccleshall said despite the constraints, Malaysian doctors are committed to humanitarian missions. “Some Malaysian doctors will save the entire year’s leave, two years’ leave, and then they will go for a mission. “That is the dedication we have. Motivation is not the problem. The issue is that we wish we could do more but are blocked.” personnel have served in other Doctors Without Borders missions, none are deployed in Gaza. A Doctors Without Borders spokesperson said security and evacuation considerations play a role. “We have Malaysian international mobile staff, but they go to Afghanistan and Sudan, not to Gaza, because our IC does not allow us to be in Israel. Security is one of the biggest factors in Doctors Without Borders operations. “They would prefer the closest route out of the country if there is any conflict or evacuation need. The closest route is Israel, but we cannot go to Israel and get out.” Eccleshall said staffing levels are not the limiting factor in Gaza. “In Gaza, we are not short of staff. There are so many workers eager to go and contribute. The barrier is about the Israeli government and registration. It is not about supply.” More than 1,000 Doctors Without Borders staff operating in Gaza are locally hired Palestinians, compared with about 60 international personnel. He said international deployments are influenced by entry permissions and evacuation feasibility. “States will sometimes highlight passports they are not comfortable with. That could be from your end, saying we do not want Malaysian citizens going to war zones because we do not have consular support, or it can be the other side.

o We have had 45 trucks not allowed in since January: Doctors Without Borders

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“Fundamentally, it comes back to the big ask we have of governments such as Malaysia, middle powers and reasonable states around the world: apply more pressure on Israel. “If it is not the United States, can we use middle powers? Can we get states such as Malaysia to sign letters with other states such as Canada or Australia to say, look, this is the responsible middle path? “If states are not putting pressure globally through the United Nations and other mechanisms, then there is no pressure to stop,” he said during a closed media exchange session at Cititel Mid Valley here yesterday. Humanitarian organisations are

KUALA LUMPUR: Humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) has said Malaysia must translate its vocal support for Palestine into sustained diplomatic pressure to secure humanitarian access to Gaza as dozens of aid trucks remain stalled despite a declared ceasefire. Its Australia head of programmes Simon Eccleshall described middle powers such as Malaysia as crucial in overcoming international gridlock and pushing for accountability at multilateral platforms.

Eccleshall said if states are not putting pressure globally on Israel through the United Nations and other mechanisms, then there is no pressure to stop. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Rising concern over endangered medicinal plants KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has raised concerns over the rapid decline of endangered medicinal plants in Malaysia, adding that the trend could jeopardise public health, biodiversity and centuries-old traditional knowledge. In conjunction with World Wildlife Day, CAP president enforcement of conservation laws, climate change, invasive species, limited public awareness and greed.” He said medicinal plants such as Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali), Aquilaria malaccensis (gaharu) and Labisia pumila (kacip fatimah) underpin traditional healing male vitality supplement, is vulnerable due to heavy domestic and international demand and its slow growth rate. Aquilaria malaccensis, prized for its fragrant agarwood, has been severely depleted by illegal logging and over-exploitation, despite international trade controls.

practices and support global industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food products and wellness goods. Mohideen said Malaysia’s tropical rainforests are among the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of plant species with therapeutic value. However, he said several vital species now face serious threats. Eurycoma longifolia, widely marketed as an energy booster and

Labisia pumila, traditionally used for women’s reproductive health, is also becoming scarce as harvesters often uproot the entire plant, limiting natural regeneration. Similarly, Coscinium fenestratum (yellow vine), used to treat fever, infections and diabetes, faces similar risks due to destructive harvesting and slow recovery. “The loss of medicinal plants is not merely an environmental issue;

Mohideen Abdul Kader said the disappearance of medicinal flora has received far less attention than wildlife conservation, despite its critical role in healthcare, cultural heritage and livelihoods. “The decline is largely driven by human activities, such as deforestation for agriculture and infrastructure development, excessive harvesting to meet commercial demand, weak