MAHATHIR URGES GOVT TO STOP BUYING U.S. WEAPONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sunday urged the government to stop purchasing arms and weapons from the United States of America, Israel's main backer and supporter.

The former prime minister said the people should persuade the government to
do so while local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should also play their
role by asking their counterparts in other countries to do likewise.

He said such a decision, which he described as "a small thing to
the US", would not affect the world's only superpower immediately but over time,
it would feel the pinch.

"I think the biggest purchase directly from the US, is from our government
which is planning to buy a new aircraft.

"If they buy from the US directly, they (the government) would provide cash
to the Americans to manufacture arms for Israel to kill the Palestinians," he
added.

Dr Mahathir was speaking to reporters after launching the Save Palestinians
Campaign organised by the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs.

In southern state of Melaka, Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam slammed arrogant
leaders of the world's superpowers, especially the US, who championed human
rights from a narrow perspective.

He said the civil society propogated by the leaders meant nothing when
Palestine was bombarded by Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, including
innocent children and babies.

Mohd Ali said this at the launch of a 24-hour emergency service by the St
John Ambulance Malaysia (Malacca chapter) Sunday.
-- BERNAMA