MPs: Support Palestinians struggle for a sovereign state
Beh Lih YiPublished: Dec 8, 2004 6:13 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Malaysian parliamentarians today urged all parties to support the right of the Palestinian people to achieve a sovereign state.
Malaysian parliamentarians put aside their political differences to mourn the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and pass several resolutions pertaining to the long standing conflict.
Malaysian parliamentarians today urged all parties to support the right of the Palestinian people to achieve a sovereign state.
They also called for support for the new Palestinian leadership that will be elected after Jan 9 next year.
These were among the resolutions passed by members of the House after debating and voting for a motion tabled by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.
The motion discussed the Palestine issue and conveyed the condolence of the Malaysian Parliament on the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
In tabling his motion, Syed Hamid described Arafat's demise as a "great loss".
The minister said since Malaysia is the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the country has the important responsibility of contributing to the resolution of the conflict.
The motion also condemned the continued Israeli military aggression against the Palestinians, culminating in the loss of lives and demolition of houses.
It also urged members of the Quartet (namely the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations) to take appropriate actions to put the road map on track and ensure that Israel does not exploit the situation following the death of Arafat.
Ten parliamentarians from both the government and opposition supported the motion and condemned the Israeli leadership.
Genuine efforts
Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) said the Malaysian Parliament must be at the forefront to fight for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for the setting-up of a special committee on the Palestine issue.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) urged the international community to protect the more than five million Palestinian refugees scattered worldwide.
Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) also described the death of Arafat as a great loss due to his popularity among the people and society.
A BN backbencher urged the government to take a stronger international stand, and not just conjure charades, on the issue and carry out genuine efforts to tackle the problem.
"Even though we will unanimously support the motion later, this is just a charade to show that we are the chair of the OIC and therefore show our concern to them," said Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan).
International conference
Winding-up the debates, Syed Hamid said he was proud that Malaysian parliamentarians both Muslims and non-Muslims have discussed the issue in a non-confrontational manner.
"I am happy we realise that this is not a struggle just for the Muslims, but an universal struggle to defend human rights and justice," he told the House.
He also revealed that Malaysia, via the Peace Malaysia coalition, will host an international conference next March and invite leaders of non-governmental organisations worldwide to discuss the Palestine issue.
Syed Hamid added that an inter-party parliamentary committee on Palestine will also be formed.
On the motion that was passed in the House, the minister said it will be presented to several international bodies including the United Nations and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
They also called for support for the new Palestinian leadership that will be elected after Jan 9 next year.
These were among the resolutions passed by members of the House after debating and voting for a motion tabled by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar. The motion discussed the Palestine issue and conveyed the condolence of the Malaysian Parliament on the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
In tabling his motion, Syed Hamid described Arafat's demise as a "great loss".
The minister said since Malaysia is the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the country has the important responsibility of contributing to the resolution of the conflict.
The motion also condemned the continued Israeli military aggression against the Palestinians, culminating in the loss of lives and demolition of houses.
It also urged members of the Quartet (namely the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations) to take appropriate actions to put the road map on track and ensure that Israel does not exploit the situation following the death of Arafat.
Ten parliamentarians from both the government and opposition supported the motion and condemned the Israeli leadership.
Genuine efforts
Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) said the Malaysian Parliament must be at the forefront to fight for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for the setting-up of a special committee on the Palestine issue. Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) urged the international community to protect the more than five million Palestinian refugees scattered worldwide.
Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) also described the death of Arafat as a great loss due to his popularity among the people and society.
A BN backbencher urged the government to take a stronger international stand, and not just conjure charades, on the issue and carry out genuine efforts to tackle the problem.
"Even though we will unanimously support the motion later, this is just a charade to show that we are the chair of the OIC and therefore show our concern to them," said Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan).
International conference
Winding-up the debates, Syed Hamid said he was proud that Malaysian parliamentarians both Muslims and non-Muslims have discussed the issue in a non-confrontational manner.
"I am happy we realise that this is not a struggle just for the Muslims, but an universal struggle to defend human rights and justice," he told the House. He also revealed that Malaysia, via the Peace Malaysia coalition, will host an international conference next March and invite leaders of non-governmental organisations worldwide to discuss the Palestine issue.
Syed Hamid added that an inter-party parliamentary committee on Palestine will also be formed.
On the motion that was passed in the House, the minister said it will be presented to several international bodies including the United Nations and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
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