KUALA LUMPUR, March 24: The Dewan Rakyat, led by Datuk Seri Dr
Mahathir Mohamad, unanimously passed a motion today condemning the
unilateral military action by the United States and its allies
against Iraq.
The Prime Minister, in tabling the motion, had proposed seven
resolutions, including condemning the attack on Iraq and demanding
an immediate end to the conflict.
Taking the cue from Dr Mahathir, who called on Malaysians to unite
in protesting the senseless war, Members of Parliament, including
those from Opposition parties, threw their support behind the
motion.
It was the second time this month the lawmakers stood united on the
Iraq issue, having supported a motion two weeks ago which lambasted
threats by the US to take unilateral action against Iraq.
The House adjourned its proceeding under Standing Orders 27(3) to
debate today's motion, which was telecast live by RTM.
Among those who spoke in support of the motion were Datuk Seri Dr
Ling Liong Sik (MCA), Nasharuddin Mat Isa (Pas), Wan Junaidi Tuanku
Jaafar (PBB), S. Sothinathan (MIC), Dr Maximus Ongkili (PBS), Kerk
Kim Hock (DAP) and Ramli Ibrahim (Parti Keadilan Nasional).
Dr Mahathir had proposed that the House adopt the following
resolutions: l To condemn in the strongest terms possible the
unilateral military action by the United States and its allies; l
To urge the US and its allies to immediately end military action
against Iraq; l To urge all related parties to strive to
immediately return to the use of peaceful means in ensuring that
Iraq adheres to Security Council resolutions in the event Iraq is
found to possess weapons of mass destruction; l To demand that the
US and its allies respect the human rights of the Iraqis and
principles of international humanity, especially the "Geneva
Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time
of war"; l Resolve that Malaysia co-operate with Non-Aligned
Movement members and countries sharing similar views in defending
international laws and the United Nations Charter in dealing with
issues among nations; l To appeal to the international community to
immediately extend emergency humanitarian assistance to the people
of Iraq; and, l The House resolve to convey the resolutions to all
legislative assemblies and parliaments, especially those of the US,
Britain, Spain and Australia.
Describing the attack as a black spot in history, Dr Mahathir said
a superpower, together with its allies, had chosen to attack a
weaker nation which was incapable of defending itself.
"Casting aside international laws, humanity and justice, they
attacked a country which no longer has the capability to defend
itself, what more posing a threat to the superpowers.
"Claims that Iraq is dangerous and a threat to the world with its
weapons of mass destruction are totally illogical and cannot be
accepted as the reason for launching the attack." Dr Mahathir said
the US-led attack, with massive bombing and employing sophisticated
weapons, was directed against Iraq which had earlier been stripped
of its defence by the UN.
"This is not war because the attackers are the world's superpowers
and the one under attack is a defenceless country. Surely, victory
will side with the attackers in a matter of time.
"But whether it will be a short or long war, the fact is that many
Iraqis will be killed or injured." Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said,
concurred with the views that weapons of mass destruction were a
threat to the international community.
"The world does not need this kind of weapon. What needs to be done
is to destroy these weapons without any country being given special
treatment. "But we find that while prohibitions are imposed against
Iraq, no such thing is being applied to its enemy, Israel." He
said: "Can Israel, which is wantonly murdering the Palestinians, be
trusted not to use weapons of mass destruction like nuclear bombs
against its enemies?" The Prime Minister said the unilateral action
by the US had farreaching consequences as it meant weak and small
nations were no longer safe and the UN could no longer offer them
any protection from major powers.
"The UN and international laws are now meaningless. We have
returned to the Stone Age where might dictates right. "We can
predict in the future of countries whose sovereignty will be
trampled by the superpowers.
"Accusations can be levelled that certain countries are not
democratic and they have failed to observe human rights and freedom
of religion. "The accusers will interfere directly to change
governments, effect a regime change, evict leaders from their
countries and even order the assasination of those who they
dislike.
"This is the world after the destruction of international laws and
the UN by the US. There is no more the rule of law' because those
who created this slogan have now violated it." Dr Mahathir called
on the weak nations to unite.
Considering that the major powers had no qualms about dismissing
the UN, they would face continuous threats and be re-colonised, he
said.
"Whatever our differences are, I am confident nobody among us wants
the country to be re-colonised." Dr Mahathir also called on
nongovernmental organisations in the country to contact their
counterparts in the US and Britain, urging them to convince their
governments to stop the war.
"Only the Americans and British can stop their governments from
attacking Iraq and return to the UN. If governments rejecting the
role of the world body are rejected by their own people, perhaps
the new governments will subscribe to the UN." The Prime Minister
said the Government would like to see all mosques performing
sembahyang hajat (special prayers) to pray for an immediate end to
the war. He urged the followers of other religions to pray for an
end to the war.
P/S: PROUD TO BE MALAYSIAN
