KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN) raised his grouses over the “sudden” decision for the Dewan Rakyat to hear a ministerial statement on the recently heightened conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in and around the Gaza Strip.
Takiyuddin, who is also PAS secretary-general, said while the opposition welcomes the ministerial statement on the matter, they were not informed beforehand that today’s Parliament sitting would include debates on the crisis.
“I was only just informed by the Dewan Rakyat secretary that the debate will require five opposition MPs. This is not fair, we are caught by surprise.
“This (ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict) is a big issue. What is wrong in hearing the minister’s statement tomorrow? The government must be professional and fair. It would have been better if we had received notice on the (topic of the) minister’s statement earlier.”
He added that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s (Bagan Datuk-BN) statement on the Palestine-Israel conflict was not listed in today’s Order Paper.
“I know Standing Order 14(1)(i) states that statements by ministers is part of the business of each sitting, but the minister’s statement on the Palestine conflict is not listed in the Order Paper. Can it still be presented?” questioned Takiyuddin.
Checks on the Order Paper for today’s sitting show that there was no mention of Zahid’s ministerial statement on the conflict.
In response, Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) said since the minister’s statement is in line with Standing Order 14(1)(i), MPs unsatisfied with the matter can raise their qualms by submitting a motion.
He then called on Zahid to present the statement, followed by debates from government and opposition MPs.
Earlier today, PAS called on its members and supporters to take to the streets to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people on Friday.
In a statement last weekend, PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Abdul Awang (Marang-PN) had urged Muslims to engage in solat hajat and recite prayers for Muslims in Gaza while also suggesting that they convene for a solidarity gathering against Israel’s oppressive actions.
Yesterday, Malaysia urged the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to de-escalate the ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in and around the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) had also reiterated Malaysia’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to cease all one-sided actions perpetuating cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians.
The surge in violence followed a surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday, involving dozens of fighters infiltrating an Israeli city near the coastal enclave amid intense rocket fire. The aim of its Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is to put an end to Israeli “violations”.
In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said we are “at war”.
Palestine’s Health Ministry said the death toll from the Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip has risen to 413, including 78 children and 41 women. – October 9, 2023