Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today led a call in the Malaysian Parliament to condemn the Israeli attack on the Palestinian Gaza.
The 61-year old Malaysian leader urged the United Nations to broker an immediate ceasefire and appealed to US president-elect Barack Obama to review the dynamics in the war-torn zone and the rest of the Middle East, including recognizing the status of militant group Hamas.
“The weakness of the Bush administration in controlling the situation shows its lack of understanding of the dynamics in the war-torn area. From Jan 20, 2000, the Bush administration has continuously abetted in events that have eventually led to this tragedy,” Anwar told Malaysian lawmakers.
“We hope the Obama administration which will come into power on this Jan 20 will be better able to resolve this crisis by invoking greater determination and leadership to end the strife not just in Palestine, but also in the rest of the Middle East.
“Perhaps, it is also time that the new US administration recognizes that Hamas is one of the most important organizations to Palestinians.”
Human rights are the same the world over
Codenamed Operation Cast Lead, the near non-stop bombardment of the Palestinian-occupied territory began in earnest on Dec 27, claiming more than 800 civilian lives and seriously injuring at least 3,650 - many of whom were women and children.
“The Muslim community around the world is angry and sad. I am sure their feelings are shared by all other communities regardless of faith and creed. This is a crisis that that is not contained to just the Muslim world, nor is it just about the Islam faith. This is a crisis of humanity!,” the former deputy prime minister said.
He thanked the UN secretary-general Ban Kyi Moon for pushing through Resolution 1860 that was passed late on Thursday by the Security Council, but which failed to bring about a ceasefire.
The United States, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group and believes that it is committed to violence, had abstained from voting on the resolution.
Said Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki : “To tell you the truth, we have really expected that all countries would vote in favor. Are we happy? No, we are not really happy. We expected something more. But we are really satisfied with the outcome so far?
“What really concerns us the most is the immediate applicability of the resolution on ground. We fear, and we have reasons to do so, that Israel will delay its acceptance and implementation of the cease-fire for few hours, if not few days.”
Arab nations and many others across the globe, including Malaysia, had demanded that the UN took a stand on the Israeli invasion and order a stop to hostilities.
Resolutions are important in the intricate world of international diplomacy for they lay out the intent of the respective governments. They are also vital building blocks that can later lead to full-fledged, multi-lateral action.
Do not practice double standards
Anwar also thanked Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for agreeing to today’s special parliamentary session, although the Pakatan had in December urged that Malaysia acted quickly and join the rest of the Muslim world in highlighting and putting a stop to the Gaza killings.
Today, Malaysian lawmakers approved a 10-point resolution including a call to the UN to immediately form an international war crimes tribunal to investigate Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Anwar also asked Abdullah, the outgoing premier, to take a leaf from the ongoing Palestinian conflict and abolish all laws that went against human rights, in particular, Malaysia’s infamous Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
Although originally drafted to enable the government to act against terrorist, it has through the decades been abused and used to jail political enemies and dissidents.
“As we criticise the Israeli action which rides roughshod over all human rights, let us not forget what is happening in our own country. Malaysia must be consistent in both its international and national attitude,” Anwar said.
“The Muslim community around the world is angry and sad. I am sure their feelings are shared by all other communities regardless of faith and creed. This is a crisis that that is not contained to just the Muslim world, nor is it just about the Islam faith. This is a crisis of humanity!,” the former deputy prime minister said.
He thanked the UN secretary-general Ban Kyi Moon for pushing through Resolution 1860 that was passed late on Thursday by the Security Council, but which failed to bring about a ceasefire.
The United States, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group and believes that it is committed to violence, had abstained from voting on the resolution.
Said Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki : “To tell you the truth, we have really expected that all countries would vote in favor. Are we happy? No, we are not really happy. We expected something more. But we are really satisfied with the outcome so far?
“What really concerns us the most is the immediate applicability of the resolution on ground. We fear, and we have reasons to do so, that Israel will delay its acceptance and implementation of the cease-fire for few hours, if not few days.”
Arab nations and many others across the globe, including Malaysia, had demanded that the UN took a stand on the Israeli invasion and order a stop to hostilities.
Resolutions are important in the intricate world of international diplomacy for they lay out the intent of the respective governments. They are also vital building blocks that can later lead to full-fledged, multi-lateral action.
Do not practice double standards
Anwar also thanked Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for agreeing to today’s special parliamentary session, although the Pakatan had in December urged that Malaysia acted quickly and join the rest of the Muslim world in highlighting and putting a stop to the Gaza killings.
Today, Malaysian lawmakers approved a 10-point resolution including a call to the UN to immediately form an international war crimes tribunal to investigate Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Anwar also asked Abdullah, the outgoing premier, to take a leaf from the ongoing Palestinian conflict and abolish all laws that went against human rights, in particular, Malaysia’s infamous Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
Although originally drafted to enable the government to act against terrorist, it has through the decades been abused and used to jail political enemies and dissidents.
“As we criticise the Israeli action which rides roughshod over all human rights, let us not forget what is happening in our own country. Malaysia must be consistent in both its international and national attitude,” Anwar said.
“Let us not point the finger at Israel and call on other nations to oppose its invasion, yet at the same time use aggressive force to stop a peaceful demonstration on our own shores.”
Anwar was referring to a demonstration organized by the Anti-War Coalition, an NGO consisting of human rights activists, to highlight the victims of aggression in Palestine and Sri Lanka.
Pakatan MP for Klang, Charles Santiago from the DAP, was among 21 people arrested during the Saturday demostration and is still under detention now.
Pakatan MP for Klang, Charles Santiago from the DAP, was among 21 people arrested during the Saturday demostration and is still under detention now.
“As we pray for the people of Gaza, let us also pray that our efforts for change in our own country, that the rule of law will prevail and that there will be independence from tyranny, can become a reality soon,” Anwar said.
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