M'SIA CALLS ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO CENSURE ISRAEL OVER ATTACK ON SHIP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, while strongly condemning the
Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla Monday, is also urging the United
Nations Security Council to censure the Israeli regime over the attack.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia would propose the
matter be deliberated on by the Security Council soonest possible.

"I, in the name of the Malaysian government and the people strongly condemn
this inhumane, brutal aggression by the Israeli regime on the flotilla which is
bringing humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza," he said after
launching the 4B Youth Movement Alumni, here, Monday.

Najib said "the whole world should condemn the action of this cruel regime".

"I hope the incident will result in a censure on Israel," he said, adding
that the attack showed that the Tel Aviv regime had no respect for international
law and had indiscriminately used force without considering that their action
could result in the loss of innocent lives.



The prime minister said he was awaiting details and information on the fate
of Malaysians on board the ships in the flotilla.

The Mavi Marmara, one of the nine small ships in the flotilla on a
humanitarian mission to Gaza, organised by a pro-Palestinian group and a human
rights organisation in Turkey, was attacked by the Israeli army this morning
near Gaza.

Two Malaysians -- a reporter and cameraman from Astro Awani -- were reported
to be on board the Mavi Marmara and their fate is still unknown.

Earlier, Najib in his speech at the launching, suggested that the 4B Alumni
play a role as a political and social network to explain to the people the
efforts being undertaken and would be carried out by the government for the
people and country.

He said this was important to ensure that the people understood the national
agenda and the transformation taking place to enable Malaysia to face the
challenges of globalisation and to achieve developed-nation status.

"The globalisation process cannot be avoided. Whether it is good or bad,
depends on how we position our country in the context of dealing with
globalisation."

Najib said Malaysia was also strongly determined to realise its goal of
becoming a developed nation with a lot of potential for more development.

At the function, Najib was also bestowed the "Father of Youth Development"
title.

-- BERNAMA