KUALA LUMPUR – A Perikatan Nasional (PN) backbencher today called on the government to reprimand and take action against media organisations in Malaysia that refer to the Hamas group in the Middle East as “militant” or “terrorist”.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take action against media bodies that report in such a manner.
He said Mandarin and English media outlets were among those which describe Hamas as being militant or terrorist.
However, the Bersatu youth wing chief did not specifically name any press outlet or individual in particular.
“Hamas is not a terrorist (group), but rather a liberation group. I ask the honourable prime minister to reprimand the editorial team (concerned) for this wrong reporting,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan’s MP for Tambun, responded that that every media should be aware of the Palestinian issue, which concerns extreme attacks by Israel, as well as genocide and violation of human rights.
He said that Hamas is a group of fighters defending their homeland.
“So, in Malaysia, I agree that there needs to be awareness so that all media should understand the anxiety and sensitivities of people who are backing the Palestinians people in their right to protest and act.
“I have always emphasised that the taking away of land, property, and dignity continues (in Palestine) as (the Palestinians) are raped and insulted. So, they have the right to rise up,” he said.
Anwar added that he had earlier deliberately touched on the situation of Christians who were victims of Jewish violence.
He said that he did so to make Malaysians, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, aware that the Palestinian issue relates to humanity in light of the cruelty committed by Israel.
He stressed that he agrees that the media should be reminded about this matter.
He cited the example of the African National Congress (ANC), which struggled against apartheid in South Africa over thirty years ago.
He said that ANC’s then leader Nelson Mandela, who would later become South Africa’s president, was referred to as the head of a terrorist group.
Since the unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which reportedly killed 1,400 people and claimed over 200 hostages, Israel has ramped up its assault on the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
According to reports, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 10,000 with many more left homeless or injured. – The Vibes, November 7, 2023
