MALAYSIA WANTS AID TO FLOW TO GAZA WITHOUT FEAR OF ISRAELI REGIME - M'SIAN PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak Monday tabled a
special motion in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives - lower house of
Parliament) condemning an Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, and urged
the international community to continue providing humanitarian aid to the people
of Palestine in blockaded Gaza without heed or fear of the threat from the
Israeli regime.

He also criticised the United Nations Security Council which he said adopted
a partial stand when it came to issues involving the Israeli regime.

The 15-point motion called on the UN Security Council to condemn the Zionist
regime under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which had
attacked the Freedom Flotilla humanitarian aid convoy in international waters on
May 31.

"Malaysia records the utmost disappointment over the weak statement of the
United Nations Security Council against the violent attack of the Zionist regime
on the aid ship.

"Malaysia calls on the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israel and
not just make weak statements," he said.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

While expressing support for the international call for an independent and
accountable investigation into the attack, Najib said, Malaysia called on
like-minded countries to bring a resolution to the UN Security Council to refer
the Zionist regime's attack on the Turkish aid ship "Mavi Marmara" to the
International Criminal Court (ICC).

He said it was also proposed that like-minded countries bring a resolution
to the United Nations General Assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the
International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Describing Israel as a "world gangster", the prime minister said the
regime's arrogant attitude resulted from its assumption that it was protected by
a world power.

In this connection, he said, Malaysia wished to call on the United States to
fulfill its moral obligation in ensuring that the Israeli regime adhered to
responsible and civilised norms of a nation state.

"So long as the US support for the Zionist regime was total and not
conditional to adherence to universal humanitarian values, there will no end to
the arrogance of this regime," he said.

On the setting up of an independent international commission of
investigation, Najib said Malaysia had no objections if former New Zealand prime
minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer was selected to head the body.

He also said that Malaysia called for the Israeli regime to make
compensation payments for all seized property, including the ships, foodstuff
and construction and medical supplies, as well as all private belongings
confiscated from the activists in the flotilla.

"Malaysia also calls for Israel to make compensation payments resulting from
the psychological, mental and physical trauma, as well as any other compensation
deemed fit by the international court," he said to the thumping of the tables in
agreement by the MPs.

Najib said Malaysia's commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people
had been conveyed to Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas during the latter's
recent visit to Kuala Lumpur.

The prime minister also recorded the highest appreciation to the governments
of Jordan, Turkey, Ireland and the Philippines as well as other countries which
had helped to secure the release of the Malaysian nationals detained during the
attack on the aid ship.

Describing the 12 Malaysian activists as national heroes, Najib said
Malaysia was also proud of six other Malaysian heroes who had been on the aid
ship Rachel Corrie for their determination to carry on the mission despite
realising the risks involved.

In seconding the motion, Muhyiddin said the weak stand of the UN Security
Council against Israel did not reflect sincerity in ending the most critical
humanitarian crime of this century.

He said that so long as international institutions such as the UN Security
Council failed to act against the atrocities of the Zionist regime, concerned
segments of the international community would make bolder moves to break through
the Israeli blockade.

"The attack on the Mavi Marmara and the killing of the activists on board
are the result of the arrogance and wickedness of the Zionist regime, which
cannot be pardoned," he said.

He expressed regret that the long arm of the law seemed to be powerless in
stopping the military of the Israeli regime from enforcing the law of the
jungle.

Muhyiddin urged all members of parliament to set aside their political
differences and unite under the leadership of the prime minister in expressing
their strongest condemnation for the extreme action of the Zionist regime in
attacking and killing unarmed volunteers in international waters.
-- BERNAMA