Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today questioned whether Asean Muslim leaders will take any proactive action to help the people of Gaza, as China has done.
Taking to Twitter, Zaid also directed veiled sarcasm towards Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he did not name explicitly but referred to as “a well-known Muslim leader from Malaysia” who is chairing the Asean Summit, and is often portrayed as one of the most influential Muslims globally.
“There are 278 million Muslims in Asean, representing 44 percent of the grouping population.
“In the last 12 months, 30 hospitals have been bombed in Gaza; more than 80,000 have died, including 5,000 children under five years old. Many died of starvation and from the bombs.
“Will Asean do something like China did? Will they send tonnes of food and medicines? Will they send a strongly worded condemnation? Will they tell Israel that Asean will not allow the decimation of the Palestinian people like China did?
“Maybe tariffs and investments preoccupy them, and how to please the Americans takes centre stage,” Zaid said.
He went on to accuse the Arabs of “betraying their own people”, remarking that it now seems that Muslims in Asean are no different.
The 46th Asean Summit began yesterday (May 23) with a senior officials meeting, followed by a ministerial meeting on May 25, while the heads of government meeting will be on May 26.
The theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, is raised as a unifying basis for regional and global engagement. - Mkini
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