KUALA LUMPUR – Unity government spokesman Minister Fahmi Fadzil has criticised the action of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang who described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as not taking a strong enough stand on the Palestinian issue.
The communications and digital minister said Hadi, who is Marang MP, could ask the prime minister in the Parliament if there were any issues, but did not do so – nor did he attend Parliament sittings.
“From October 9 to 19, Hadi only attended Parliament sitting once – on October 16 – the same day the prime minister made a statement on the Palestinian issue. So, he had the opportunity to ask.
“But did Hadi criticise or oppose the prime minister’s statement? Not at all,” said Fahmi through a post on his X account.
Sebagai Ahli Parlimen, Hj Hadi boleh je soal PM di Parlimen tentang Palestin.
— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾 (@fahmi_fadzil) October 20, 2023
Tapi ni hadir pun tak.
Dari 9-19 Okt, Hj Hadi hadir SATU hari je: 16 Okt. Hari sama PM buat kenyataan isu Palestin. So, peluang untuk lawan ada.
Tapi ada Hj Hadi kritik atau lawan kenyataan PM?… https://t.co/hnjMwFNcTl pic.twitter.com/ZW6Sbp3VdK
Fahmi was commenting on Hadi’s statement at a press conference in conjunction with the PAS Muktamar in Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday when asked about Anwar’s stand on the Israeli regime’s oppression of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Through the post, Fahmi also shared the Parliament Hansard on October 16 when Anwar made the statement on the Palestinian issue at 11.37am.
“Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin spoke afterwards and even congratulated the prime minister over the government’s stance on the Palestine issue.
“Suddenly Hadi interrupted. But out of the 136 words he spoke, not a single word was to respond, refute, protest or criticise the prime minister’s statement which is said to be not strong enough.
“…is this how a pious man or a preacher behaves? Hadi is clearly a person with vengeance,” he said.
On October 16, the prime minister said that the deployment of Malaysian military forces to Palestine, including for peacekeeping or humanitarian missions, can only be done after achieving a consensus from the neighbouring countries.
In a briefing on the latest development on the Palestinian-Israeli crisis at the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said without the consensus, aircraft carrying Malaysian peacekeepers or humanitarian assistance will not be allowed to land.
When tabling Budget 2024 on October 13, Anwar, who is also finance minister, announced that Malaysia would launch a humanitarian fund to help the Palestinians with an initial fund of RM10 million. – October 21, 2023