theSun | TUESDAY JANUARY 13 2009 7

news without borders

Unanimous ‘ayes’ as MPs

put aside differences
THE Dewan Rakyat approved the motion on
the Gaza invasion by Israel at 9.48pm yester-
day following a unanimous voice of “ayes”
from the MPs after it was debated for more
than seven hours by 31 members.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
said the parliamentarians from both sides
had successfully put aside their political
differences and voiced the international hu-
manitarian call for Israel to stop its atrocities
in Palestine.
“They have also called for steps to be taken
to deliver humanitarian aid and justice under
the international laws,” he said when wind-
ing-up the motion, which was tabled by Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
and seconded by his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib
Abdul Razak.
Rais said the MPs’ role and action yester-
day had proven that despite their political
disparities, they could still express their
concern towards a grave issue to get the
world community’s support to oppose Israeli
aggression.
He said the Dewan Rakyat would be
recorded as the only world-level legislative
assembly to strongly condemn Israel and its
associates for its anti-humanitarian attacks
towards the people of Palestine.
In his speech, he also said the UN Security
Council’s resolution on a ceasefire passed last
Thursday was meaningless as it did not result
in any positive action by the UN following the
decision by the United States to abstain from
voting.
“By abstaining means the Jews are allowed
to continue to kill. Abstaining means Israel
can continue with its attacks. Abstaining also
means Israel can do whatever it wants. In
this context, America must be condemned for
legalising killings,” he said.
Rais said Abdullah, who is also the defence
minister, had earlier in the day met with 12
ambassadors from the UN Security Council
member countries, including the US ambassa-
dor and United Kingdom high commissioner,
at the Defence Ministry in Kuala Lumpur.
“He has presented them his special mes-
sage so that they would convey it to their
government leaders, urging them to play a
direct role to end the Israeli attacks in Gaza,”
he said.

Palestinian envoy thanks

Malaysia for support
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
“handed over” the 10 resolu-
tions to Palestinian Ambassa-
dor Abd El Aziz Abu Ghaosh as
Malaysia’s initiative to prompt
the international community to
act against the Israeli invasion
of Gaza Strip.
The government also hand-
ed over monetary assistance
with the MPs being the first to
contribute to the fund.
Abd El Aziz told reporters
after receiving the resolutions
at Parliament last night that
Palestine appreciates Malay-
sia’s support.
“I will hand the resolutions
to our leadership,” he said.
He said Malaysia’s efforts
show that Palestine is not
alone and there are communi-
ties standing by the Palestin-
ians.
Bernama reports: The
Malaysian Ulama Association
(PUM) supports the motion
adopted by the Dewan Rakyat
last night.
Its general secretary, Dr Ro-
slan Mohd Nor, said the strong
support from the government
and opposition parties was
indeed a “bold move”.
“The undivided support
from Members of Parliament
shows that Malaysians are
united in condemning the
inhuman acts,” he said in a
statement.
Roslan said PUM regretted
that Israel continued to rain
Gaza with chemical bombs.
He said this was proof that
Israel wanted to wipe out the
Palestinians from their own
homeland.