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YOURSAY | Nobody has accused Anwar of being ambiguous on Palestine

This article is 8 months old

YOURSAY | ‘It’s the ambiguity in policies that we question, not support for the Palestinians.’

Anwar cannot be seen as being ambiguous on Palestine, say analysts

Cogito Ergo Sum: Nobody has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of being ambiguous. It’s the way he is going about it that is confusing, divisive, and ambiguous.

How does allowing schoolchildren and teachers to carry toy guns to school encourage a humanitarian spirit and sympathy for the Palestinians?

At home, it encourages division among Malaysians. And the not-so-subtle answer is to use the barrel of the gun to implement humanitarian measures. Do you know how out of whack that sounds?

And yesterday, the education minister warned politicians on both sides of the divide not to question her programme. Logic and common sense are trampled on just to show one side is more religious than the other.

No, it’s the ambiguity in policies that we question. Not support for the Palestinians. Please get that right.

TTSH: Yes. The prime minister should learn from our neighbours how to manoeuvre around the crisis. We even use schools as a platform to further the Palestine cause.

Singapore’s government agencies on Nov 2 reminded foreigners working or living in the country to not use it as a platform to further their political causes, amid the ongoing war between Israel and militant group Hamas.

“Given the heightened tensions, it is important that we remain calm and not let these external events affect the racial and religious harmony and peace in Singapore,” the Manpower Ministry (MOM) said in a Facebook post.

“We would also like to remind everyone to engage in responsible and respectful discussions on this sensitive topic.”

A joint advisory by MOM, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Internal Security Department reiterated Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach against extremism, violence, or terrorism.

Foreigners in Singapore were also asked to “not support or import foreign politics”, including through the public display of materials such as banners, flags, and posters.

They were reminded not to write, post, or share any information in-person or online that may “stir up emotions that result in violence or cause hatred among different races or religions”.

“Doing so is an offence and punishable under Singapore law. Offenders may be banned from working in Singapore,” the advisory read.

Mazhilamani: I have often wondered if our country’s politics suffer the same fate as “timun antara durian” (cucumbers among durians).

On one side we have the opposition Islamic parties and on the other side our majority-Muslim population and our world trading partners. If examined carefully, except for China, our other major trading partners form a tight team.

Let us be careful about our “over-talk” and enthusiasm. I think we may be overreacting to please some sectors and likely to offend others.

Let us be watchful of our actions. This is my humble thought.

Steven Ong: “PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin welcomed the withdrawal (Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court), saying: ‘We always welcome anything that benefits Islam.’”

When there are strong rebukes or criticisms of the wrong teachings in Islam, many cry insult and disrespect. But here, once again Muslims from PAS who are well-learned in Islam, are exposed, believe, and say that Islam teaches wrong morals and behaviours.

If the true issues plaguing the people are not addressed with the consequences in the future in mind, then all these are not true leaders who want to bring changes and build a better country for all.

But more about living a good life and then dying.

Just A Malaysian: Anwar is being pressured by PAS and Perikatan Nasional to carry out its narrative.

Our beloved prime minister, who is eager to please the Malay heartland, does everything expected of him by PAS.

In the end, the PM, in his eagerness to out-Islam PAS, pushed Malaysia faster into Islamisation.

I have no hope for this country. Islamisation is here to stay. The only question that non-Malays/non-Muslims can ask is: how bad will it be for us?

GreenKijang7359: Those who are on strike for the Palestinian cause don’t really care about the future of the Palestinians. They are blind to the fact that Palestine has been hijacked. Until and unless Hamas is destroyed, there will never be peace.

The PM thinks it’s a joke helming the PM’s position which is why he can casually resort to his lopsided views in not denouncing Hamas while dragging Malaysia to doom. From the horse’s mouth: those who support Hamas are going to regret.

Look at the bright side. At least we now know for sure the true colours of the prime minister. With this sort of mindset, he can and will never be a good leader.

Sarawak and Sabah, use this time to reflect and begin distancing yourself from the peninsula which has taken you for a ride long enough.

Solo: It is not a surprise that Islamic countries or majority-Islamic ones are pro-Palestinian. The West is more pro-Israel because they are majority Christian countries.

There are closer connections between the Christians and Jews. Jesus was a Jew before he became the leader of Christians.

This is more of a fight between Hamas and the Zionists. Leave the civilians alone.

Don’t kill a Palestinian child to save a Jewish one. And don’t kill a Jewish child to save a Palestinian one.

JW: What a boring assessment by so-called academics. You don’t have to be an academic to come up with this assessment.

Many ordinary Malaysians have already made similar comments in Malaysiakini although maybe not as eloquently.

Instead of saying the obvious, why did the so-called academics not write about the political implications of his rhetorical stance globally and domestically?

Why, not even a theory on that? But is that not your real job?

AbangBeruang: Why are you upset with this stand? At least he has the courage to stand by the people who are being massacred.

One simply must be a human to understand that what is happening in Gaza right now is not acceptable by any standard in humanity. I am happy that Anwar took this stand. May he live long!


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