ETALING JAYA, 25 JAN: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim characterised Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s visit to Gaza, Palestine recently to be more politically motivated to gain support of Muslims in Malaysia.
The trick is more visible because, according to Anwar, the Federal Government did not acknowledge the Hamas Government that governs Gaza prior to this.
“In efforts to win over the hearts of Muslims here, they do not realise that they are creating a blunder.
“They seem to have forgotten to remember the importance of balance and fairness in our foreign policy towards Palestine,” stressed Anwar, who is also the Selangor Economic Advisor in a media conference outside the PKR headquarters just now.
He also claimed that the visit was not very smart because of the failure to acknowledge the Fatah administration in the West Bank, Palestine and its President, Mahmoud Abbas.
Najib, recently visited Gaza, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman and Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom.
Najib and the delegation’s arrival was welcomed by the Hamas Government Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, at the border.
The Malaysiakini website reported that Mahmoud criticised Najib’s visit which according to him, undermines the legitimate Palestinian government and caused disunity and if unfavourable to Palestine.
Anwar said that Najib should emulate the wise steps taken by Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi and the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdorgan, both of whom acknowledge both Hamas and Fatah.
“He really is less smart regarding this issue.
“He should have contacted both leaders (Abbas and Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh),” said Anwar.
Earlier, Anwar has received a delegation from the European Union (EU) that arrived to present the plan for a Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA).
During the meeting, EU also expressed its willingness to resume talks regarding MEUFTA after GE-13 with whichever democratically elected government.