Malaysia will be providing training in semi-skilled areas to about 56,000 Rohingyas who are United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government would be looking into the implementation of the matter so that the group could apply for Temporary Employment Pass (PLKS) to enable them obtain employment.
He said the move would change the group from being seen as a liability into an asset by becoming additional manpower in specific sectors under the law.
"The study was being carried out and I will announce it shortly," he told reporters after his meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki, in Kuala Lumpur today.
The meeting held at the corridor of the extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers on Rohingya Muslim Minority Situation at the request by the Malaysian government.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia's commitments were translated into assisting Rohingyas as well as to give them support at international platforms.
On Malaysia's support for Palestine, Ahmad Zahid said it would not be limited to United Nations platforms, as it covered other international organisations including OIC to seek a just, lasting, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict.
"As one of the founder nations of OIC, Malaysia has always played an active role in the organisation to address the Palestinian issue at international level. To reduce the sufferings of the Palestinian people, Malaysia has also channelled contributions through OIC," he said.
On the proposal to merge Hamas and Fatah, Ahmad Zahid said he personally called for the merger to take place in the interest of the Palestinian nation and its people.
"Malaysia will continue to support the rights of Palestinians to set up the independent country of Palestine, side by side with Israel based on the border before 1967 with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," he said.
He also said the effort of a country to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem should be objected as it was like recognising the intrusion by Israel on Palestine.
- Bernama
