TV PAKATAN RAKYAT

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — Malaysian MPs agreed unanimously to condemn Israel’s incursion into Gaza. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed that the US ambassador should be summoned by the Malaysian government, in order to register the people’s objection to the support given by the Bush administration to Israel. “It is Malaysia’s hope that President-elect Barack Obama will be fair to the Palestinians as it is clear that he vehemently supports Israel.

“Malaysians of all races from various parties have shown their utter disgust to an administration which has sided with war criminals and were appalled by the lackadaisical attitude of the Arab leaders in championing their people,” he said. He was speaking at the special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to debate a resolution against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Anwar (PKR-Permatang Pauh) also proposed that Malaysia initiate a move along with Brunei and Indonesia, to make a stand against violence and genocide.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) said Malaysia should take Israel to the international court for contravening the international law. Penang Deputy Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) said Israel should be labelled a terrorist state for taking a unilateral action to perpetuate its stranglehold on Palestine. “We must talk to the European Union, Russia and other big powers to resolve the problem as the United Nations has failed to address the issue,” he said. Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) described the Palestinian issue as a global problem which could only be solved by the international community.

“The first step to resolve the problem is by imposing a ceasefire,” he said, adding that the world community should apply pressure on Israel, not excluding economic sanctions. Khairy also proposed that a peacekeeping force be dispatched to the Gaza Strip to protect civilians from being victimised by the Zionist regime. Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) proposed that civil servants make a salary cut equivalent to one day’s work to be contributed to the Palestinian Fund.