KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 –
As Parliament continued to censure the Israeli and United States governments over the Gaza conflict, PKR today mooted the idea of a regional Islamic body to flex its political muscle in the Muslim world.
MPs had expressed frustration over the powerlessness of the public to compel the United States and Israel to bring a halt to the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza strip that has continued for nearly three weeks.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said that "throwing shoes cannot stop Tomahawk missiles," to illustrate the lack of a political solution.
De Facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed in Parliament today that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi negotiate with other Muslim nations in the region such as Indonesia and Brunei to do something meaningful.
"This will encourage Arab leaders to do more than just have to beg for mercy," he said.
In a press conference later, he added that as Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country and "an important democratic country that is considered moderate," with an independent foreign policy, a regional coalition could have "a definite influence on the world, as Arab countries may be considered emotionally vested in such issues."
"We must take our own stand as the anger of the public has been made known so it is incumbent upon our leaders to react," he said.
Selangor Menteri Besar and former PKR secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim added more details on the suggestion in his speech in Parliament later.
"A task force with a formal secretariat should be formed to meet and mobilise initiatives with other Islamic nations," he said.
He said that by taking an active role, holding talks and discussions with other governments, a regional body could lobby for concerted efforts to curb future atrocities against Muslim nations.
Khalid suggested that foreign ministers could lead the secretariat to ensure eminent persons from each of the three Southeast Asian countries would represent their respective governments when speaking to other parties. – text: By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider, graphic: b-g
As Parliament continued to censure the Israeli and United States governments over the Gaza conflict, PKR today mooted the idea of a regional Islamic body to flex its political muscle in the Muslim world.
MPs had expressed frustration over the powerlessness of the public to compel the United States and Israel to bring a halt to the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza strip that has continued for nearly three weeks.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said that "throwing shoes cannot stop Tomahawk missiles," to illustrate the lack of a political solution.
De Facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed in Parliament today that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi negotiate with other Muslim nations in the region such as Indonesia and Brunei to do something meaningful.
"This will encourage Arab leaders to do more than just have to beg for mercy," he said.
In a press conference later, he added that as Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country and "an important democratic country that is considered moderate," with an independent foreign policy, a regional coalition could have "a definite influence on the world, as Arab countries may be considered emotionally vested in such issues.""We must take our own stand as the anger of the public has been made known so it is incumbent upon our leaders to react," he said.
Selangor Menteri Besar and former PKR secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim added more details on the suggestion in his speech in Parliament later.
"A task force with a formal secretariat should be formed to meet and mobilise initiatives with other Islamic nations," he said.
He said that by taking an active role, holding talks and discussions with other governments, a regional body could lobby for concerted efforts to curb future atrocities against Muslim nations.
Khalid suggested that foreign ministers could lead the secretariat to ensure eminent persons from each of the three Southeast Asian countries would represent their respective governments when speaking to other parties. – text: By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider, graphic: b-g
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