Malaysia needs to CLARIFY and reaffirm its position on Palestine
* Our current position is that we are against the Zionist regime of Israel, and as such Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. We are not ordinary citizens of Israel - many of whom are against what their government is doing to Palestine and Palestinians.
* Malaysia also do not have any economic-financial relationship with Israel - We have even recently barred the entry of any Israeli ships
* As a sign of protest, many in Malaysia are also BOYCOTTING Brands that support or have dealings with Israel and/or nations who support Israel - as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians and for a peace in the region.
* Malaysia is for the 3-State Solution, as per the UN Resolution 1947 - Israel, Palestine and an independently governed Jerusalem. This means that Israel must withdraw back to its borders as per the UN 1947 Plan. {Here, Malaysia is confused - because sometimes our government talks about 2-State solution, and talks about the 1967 borders which includes territories Israel occupied after wars. At best, we should demand a return to the 1947 Borders??]
Palestine
- The UN created the problem without prior consultation of the
inhabitants, causing the refugee problem since 1947, and now still
denies Palestine UN membership?
* Malaysia should advocate for the UN to recognize the State of Palestine - full membership
* Malaysia should take a position of no business/economic agreements with Israel or pro-Zionist companies. Here there is concern with MAHB... - the possibility that pro-Israel companies will have a state in Malaysia's airports?? Anwar says it is a baseless allegations - but sadly as usual, he fails to deal with specifics - Is GIP owned by BlackRock? Remember, after the deal, shareholders of GIP can also change and maybe some Israeli company may become the biggest shareholder - is there any provision that prevents the possibility that Israeli companies may end up owning Malaysian airports. Will the agreement be nullified automatically later if say GIP is taken over in the future by Israeli companies or shareholders?
Politically, the possible involvement of the New York-based GIP in the takeover has drawn accusations, by Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, that the government is indirectly supporting Israel.
GIP is owned by BlackRock, reported as the world’s biggest asset manager with huge investments directly in Israel.
Among companies the fund invests in are Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and General Dynamics — firms that are said to manufacture weapons and vehicles that are used in Israel’s brutal military campaign against Palestinians.
* But then,when Malaysia allowed companies that sell/supply arms to Israel to come to Malaysia and participate in an exhibition, and not be immediately expelled when this fact was highlighted, Malaysia's strong position on Palestine 'crumbled'...
Hypocritical
- Allowing Arm Suppliers to Israel to participate in Exhibition in
Malaysia? Minister decide not to act - but leaves it to organisers - so
different from Good Vibes Festival reaction?
Then, Anwar tells US to halt weapons supply - It makes no sense when Malaysia just hosted some of these companies that sell/supply arms to Israel. It is companies that sell/supply arms - not countries - so, Malaysia should have taken POSITIVE ACTION of immediately asking these arm supplier companies to leave Malaysia, when the government became aware. But then, it is ODD that the government did not know that Israeli arm suppliers will be at the exhibition.
There needs to be clarification as to whether Malaysia has any agreements with companies that sell arms to Israel or not.
This is troubling times for Palestine as
At least 35,857 people killed and 80,293 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7.
What is Malaysia's position - it is BEST that this matter be decided by PARLIAMENT, for leaving it to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Cabinet alone is dangerous- more so since the government allowed arm suppliers to Israel to participate in an exhibition in Malaysia recently ...
When it comes to sports or even professors being invited to speak, the fact that they are from Israel or support Israel is not a big deal - BUT not arm supplying companies whereby the weapons they supply are used to kill Palestinians and cause destruction...
On this issue of Palestine - Malaysia can not just pass a MOTION in Parliament, but can also enact a LAW ...
It is OK to privatize airlines, and let foreign companies or shareholders in >> but it is different when we are talking about AIRPORTS (Do we want to pass on ownership/control to private companies, even foreign companies and shareholders). Airports,Ports,etc should be in the hands of the government or government controlled companies in my opinion. So, we really need to see what is happening to MAHB..
See also:
Academic Freedom and Students' Rights, Prof Gilley's views - criticize if we do not agree, BUT no to Prior Government Approval for Speakers invited to talk in Universities/Schools?
Muhyidin's statement on Palestine is not sufficient to address 'forced eviction' of Palestinians, illegal settlement of Israelis and other fundamental issues?
Palestinian Issue - Independence? 2-State Solution? British created problem? UN membership?
GAZA : An understanding of history helps - Boycott good way to express ourself
Palestine - Anwar reveals US 'demarche' - so any other pressure from other States? Did Malaysia send protest notes to US, and other countries?
Palestinian Crisis - Forgotten with the ceasefire? Fundamental HR violations in Palestine and the UN? Free and Fair Elections? Democracy?
PALESTINE - Speedy resolution for a people who have been 'oppressed' since World War 1 - End Occupation.
Anwar tells US to halt weapon supply to Israel, use influence to end hostilities in Palestine
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is calling for the United States to take all necessary steps to stop the atrocities in Palestine.
In a talk show, 'Talk To Al Jazeera', aired early this morning, Anwar said this included stopping the supply of weapons to Israel.
"They (the US) should do whatever is necessary to stop the hostilities, that includes not only (supplying) weapons but also they have the influence, mechanism and diplomatic skills.
"It's just impossible to imagine that one man, (Israel Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu, can dictate the affairs of the world."
He said he is in "no position to deny" that the US was complicit in the war crimes committed by Israel towards the Palestinians.
"The facts are evident. Knowing that atrocities are being committed, whether they are an ally, friend, or nation that has an axis with you; you cannot condone this.
"Otherwise, you have no moral stature or standing in the world to talk about international relations, humanity, or even order and human rights," he said.
Anwar said the international community had made it "abundantly clear" that authorities in the US should do whatever it can to allow complete cessations of hostilities and stop the war.
He said while countries in the west, including the US, continue to champion human rights, their non-action on the attacks by Israel in Palestine was contrary to their rhetoric.
"That's why we see that sometimes most countries in the west seem to be quite hypocritical.
"Between their lectures on human rights and democracy, at the same time (they are) condoning, if not tolerating these obvious atrocities against an innocent population."
Anwar also said he had expressed his stance on Israel during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders' Meeting last year, where he had appealed to the US to call for an immediate ceasefire.
He did so in front of US President Joe Biden, during an Apec informal meet and working lunch on Nov 17, and said Biden was listening "very attentively" to his calls.
However, Anwar revealed that there had never been any response following his speech.
"I was addressing (the US) as a friend, as an important ally of Malaysia, who has been in that position for decades.
"You cannot deny that I feel disappointed, not out of interest of my personal position or Malaysia, but because you cannot bear to see daily atrocities inflicted on women and children. It's just atrocious."
Anwar also said no one in "their right mind" could deny the fact that Israel was trying to conduct ethnic cleansing towards the Palestinian people.
"Look at the casualties, the devastation, giving no opportunity for anyone, women, children, elderly to survive. What other terms are applicable?" he questioned.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the people had a right to respond, and demand for independence and freedom in their fight against colonisation.
He said Israel had committed atrocities against Palestinians long before Oct 7, starting with the Nakba or Great Catastrophe in 1948, followed by continued annexation and colonisation.
"How do countries expect to accept the fact that in this day and age, for whatever reason, countries are being colonised, and don't expect a resistance, whether civil or armed?
"The ANC (African National Congress), the IRA (Irish Republican Army)... look at all the experience of these countries."
When asked if he saw Israel as a colonial apartheid state, he replied in the affirmative.
"Clearly… how do you explain their actions against the Palestinians and the fact that they continue to control lands that belong to the Palestinian people?"
Anwar also recognised that it was against international humanitarian law to attack and take captive Israeli children and civilians.
"Yes I think we remain consistent, that's where we differ with the
west. But we then question, why don't you (the west) condemn and do
whatever is necessary to stop atrocities to others?" - NST, 19/5/2024
What’s behind the controversy of MAHB’s Khazanah-EPF takeover, and what does Israel have to do with it?
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd confirmed last week a takeover offer from a consortium led by its major shareholders Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), a deal reportedly valued at over RM12 billion.
Rumours about the privatisation had floated for months before the country’s biggest airport operator made the offer public through a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday. The confirmation was both welcomed and criticised.
Some economists suggested privatisation could bolster Malaysian airports’ competitiveness after lagging behind their regional competitors for so long. Opposition lawmakers, however, were more critical although not necessarily about the privatisation proposal itself.
Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal even joined a protest in front of the Ministry of Transport over the move, organised by activist group Palestine Solidarity Secretariat (SSP).
Malay Mail explains why the news about MAHB’s takeover has fuelled keen and critical interest.
Who plans to take over MAHB?
MAHB is currently a listed company with government-linked investment firms Khazanah and EPF among its biggest shareholders.
The two institutional investors own a 33.2 per cent stake and a 7.9 per cent stake in the company respectively but have expressed interest in raising their stakes in a proposal that entails a takeover through a consortium that includes two other funds: Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia).
New York-headquartered GIP is a leading infrastructure investor that specialises in investing in owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure as well as the water and waste management sectors.
If the deal goes through, the consortium — dubbed as the Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA) — will own up to 67.1 per cent of MAHB’s shares, with Khazanah and EPF holding a 40 per cent and 30 per cent stake in the consortium respectively.
The remaining 30 per cent will be held by GIP and Adia through a joint venture (JV) company called GIP Aurea Pte Ltd, a joint venture.
Financial newspaper The Edge reported that GIP will effectively hold a 25 per cent stake in MAHB should the takeover take place, since it owns up to 80 per cent of the JV. Adia will only have a 5 per cent effective stake, it wrote.
Putra Business School’s Master of Business Administration programme director, Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff, reportedly suggested that the move reflects a growing confidence, especially by foreign investors in local companies’ financial and growth potential.
Why privatise MAHB?
In the Bursa Malaysia filing of the takeover offer, the consortium said it wants to upgrade and modernise the company’s operations, enhance passenger service, improve airline connectivity and stimulate traffic growth.
“All of these will help unlock the potential of Malaysia’s airport network, and drive the continued development of the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen [International Airport] in Türkiye,” it said, adding that privatisation is the best way to achieve it.
Services at the country's major airports, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, have come under some criticism, and users have long demanded improvement.
Connectivity is also an issue. Compared to Singapore’s Changi and Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi, which scored 102.1 and 89.1 for connectivity, KLIA only has a connectivity rate of 59.9, according to Mavcom’s 2023 review.
An economist from Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology — Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian — was quoted saying the privatisation would significantly ease the pressure on the government’s financial coffers, as the airport operator would not be fully dependent on the government to finance its operational activities and capital expenditures.
What makes the deal controversial?
Politically, the possible involvement of the New York-based GIP in the takeover has drawn accusations, by Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, that the government is indirectly supporting Israel.
GIP is owned by BlackRock, reported as the world’s biggest asset manager with huge investments directly in Israel.
Among companies the fund invests in are Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and General Dynamics — firms that are said to manufacture weapons and vehicles that are used in Israel’s brutal military campaign against Palestinians.
From a business angle, the privatisation bid has sparked concerns about the potential lack of oversight.
Emmanuel Samarathisa, a business journalist, said privatising MAHB could keep the public in the dark about shady decisions taken to manage one of the country’s most strategic assets. This may include a change in ownership, divestment or possibly “carved-outs” whereby a “private entity” could be given a lucrative contract to manage one of the MAHB-owned airports.
What is the official response so far?
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a stern response to claims that a pro-Zionist fund would own a stake in MAHB if the privatisation bid goes through, calling it a “baseless” allegation aimed at inciting anger towards his government. It’s unclear if Anwar’s denial referred to GIP’s involvement in the consortium or the claim that GIP is a “pro-Zionist” fund.
“...there is nothing positive from them, only inciting hatred and envy. All of our statements that have been recognised by the world, including the meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, do not bring anything positive to them, what is sought is slander and incitement," he was reported saying in Kazakhstan during an official visit last week.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who was accused of misleading Parliament because he said GIP’s involvement in the privatisation bid is merely an “assumption”, said MAHB’s takeover could fast-track “strategic decisions” that could boost MAHB’s performance, a view supported by several free-market thinking economists.
Loke said he merely responded to the information presented by Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal that MAHB was to be sold to Global Infrastructures Partners, a logistics investment fund owned by one of the world’s biggest asset managers, Blackrock, which he said was inaccurate.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal has since filed a motion to refer Loke to Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee after claiming the latter had misled the Dewan Rakyat. The notice of motion was submitted this week to Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin.
In response to SSP’s protest, Loke said the group should instead direct its grievance to Khazanah and EPF over the matter since the ministry is a regulator and has no control over MAHB’s choice to cooperate with any joint venture.
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