Thursday January 8, 2009
Special Parliament session to discuss invasion
PUTRAJAYA: A special Parliament session will be convened on Monday to discuss Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said the Cabinet had decided to call for it because of concerns over the brutal attack by Israel on the Palestinian territories.
The move, which was called by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, would reflect Malaysia’s concern over what was happening in the Middle East, he said, adding: “It also shows our commitment to find a resolution to the crisis.”
Dr Rais was speaking to reporters after a meeting between Abdullah and his visiting Syrian counterpart Mohammad Naji Otri here yesterday.
The Malacca state legislative assembly will also convene an emergency session soon to condemn the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said: “We will convene ours as soon as we get the green light from the federal authorities.” The state strongly condemned the invasion of Gaza, he said, and called on the United Nations to push for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of troops by Israel.
He added that the state had also set up a special fund to assist Palestinians in Gaza.
In Kuala Terengganu, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he supported the Cabinet’s decision to call for a special session for the Dewan Rakyat.
He said this would enable both the Government and Opposition to speak with one voice over the issue.
Anwar also said he was open to the possibility of having PAS, DAP and PKR members to join Umno in holding a demonstration soon to protest Israel’s aggression.
However, Anwar wanted Umno Youth head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to first draw up the parameters of cooperation between the party and Pakatan Rakyat on the proposed demonstration.
“The long-standing problem is because the United States and Israel refused to deal with Hamas who administers the Gaza Strip.
“When we say Hamas is a terrorist organisation, what about the Israel’s own leaders who at one time were also known as terrorists. There must be fair play,” he said after launching the PKR main operation room for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh's second autopsy completed 3.15pm
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Interpol bust online illegal pharmacy racket
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Stop blanket approval for outsourcing, says union
- Teoh's second autopsy completed 3.15pm
- Weapons drawn for new battle
RSS
