Palestine motion unites MPs against Speaker - malaysiakini

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — With plenty of political mileage to be gained, an emergency motion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) brought MPs from both sides of the aisle to their feet to implore Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee to allow it to be debated.

The motion to censure the Israeli government over its recent aid blockage into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip was rejected by Kiandee.

This led to not just Puad’s Umno colleagues, Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamed Aziz appealing the decision, but the entire pack of Pas MPs as well.

The issue of Palestine is a highly emotive issue within the Malay-Muslim ground, with Pas lawmakers always keen to show their commitment towards the cause.

Umno’s Puad is also widely seen to be “auditioning” for a place in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s future Cabinet when the Deputy Prime Minister takes up the premiership in March.

“Israel’s use of blockades to stop the movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip, is causing them to face starvation and is resulting in a humanitarian crisis,” said Puad.

Not to be outdone, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also got in on the act.

“It is an opportunity to decide together without political consideration,” he said while also congratulated Puad on the motion.

Outside the House, he told reporters that as Parliament represented all parties and hence, the people, it is different from a government decision.

“It is cruel to stop food supplies. If African countries do it, they are roundly criticised but Israel gets away with it,” he said, adding that the international community must pressure the Israeli government on this matter.

Anwar’s statement runs contrary to accusations from his detractors that he is an “agent” of Zionists.
Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa also told reporters that it was a missed opportunity to present a unanimous message from Parliament on the conflict.

The Bachok MP added that the Deputy Speaker’s statement that the issue could be raised in the ongoing debate was off the mark as the current committee stage of the budget debate only offered limited space.

Pas research head Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also contended that the House was perhaps not aware of the gravity of the situation.

“It is a longstanding conflict so perhaps the sensitivity has waned. But in the last 15 days, there have been 16 dead as the blockade has resulted in 750,000 refugees,” the Kuala Selangor MP said. -- TMI