'Umno's outpouring of concern for Palestinians is a pretence'

By FMT Staff
SHAH ALAM: A 1994 amendment to the law allowing imports of goods and services from Isreal and South Africa remains in effect and nullifies any 'humane' act by the Umno-BN government in the Palestinian struggle, said PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin.
He said despite several calls over the years for the government to impose sanctions against Isreal nothing had been done.
“All this is a pretence. It is a publicity stunt by the Umno-Barisan Nasional government to show that they care about the Palestinian struggle and the oppression of the Muslims.
“The truth is Malaysia and Israel have firm economic ties. If they really cared, the government would cut all ties with the regime.
“But as we know this won’t happen. Umno-BN leaders are selfish. Their self-interest supersedes their humanness," he said.
Badrul said former Prime Minister Dr Mahathair Mohamad had in 1994 amended the law and legalised imports from Israel and South Africa.
“The amendments were tabled in parliament and approved in 1994. It is in effect until today. Malaysia is a big contributor to Israeli economy.
“For instance in Nilai (Negeri Sembilan) a big piece of land owned by Tabung Haji has been given to beverage company Coca Cola.
“We all know that Coca Cola is a direct contributor to the Zionist regime’s weapons purchases programme," he said.
US urged to cut military support
Calls for the government to cease all links with Israel came to a head when more than 10,000 Malaysians rallied in front of the US embassy last Friday urging America to take stern action against Israel for its attack on a six-vessel aid-bearing convoy to Gaza.
Last Monday, Israeli marine commandoes attacked the convoy ferrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They stormed the ship on international waters, triggering a global outcry on the legality of the its actions.
Nine volunteers on board the Mavi Marmara were killed in the attack.
Bowing to public pressure, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has called for an emergency parliamentary session to be convened today to discuss the attack.
Meanwhile, opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, following a round table discussion involving 60 NGOs, have classified the attack as 'murder' and is demanding the government do everything possible to refer Isreal to the international criminal tribunal at the Hague.