1. The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
In Friday sermon, JAWI tells Muslims Jews are No. 1 enemy, 30 March 2012
by Shannon Teoh
File photo of people burning an Israel flag at an anti-Israel protest in Kuala Lumpur in 2010.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The Federal Territories’ official sermon today told Muslims Jews are their main enemy as proven by their ego and murderous acts.
The Friday sermon, delivered at lunchtime in mosques across the capital city, said Muslims must “free your brethren in Palestine from the grasp of Zionist rule and economic siege by donating money, food, medicine and whatever is suitable.”
“Firstly, Muslims must understand Jews are the main enemy to Muslims as proven by their egotistical behaviour and murders performed by them,” said the sermon prepared by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI).
It called on “community leaders and NGOs to intensify activities that increase awareness and understanding to the public about the importance of al-Quds (Jerusalem),”)referring to the city that is sacred to Jews, Muslims and also Christians.
“The honour of al-Quds and the al-Aqsa mosque must be defended by all Muslims as it is holy land that is blessed,” the sermon added.
Malaysia’s relations with Israel hit the headlines after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was quoted by the Wall Street Journal in January as saying that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.”
His statement drew immediate fire from Umno and its media, forcing the opposition leader to clarify that he was referring to a “two-state solution”, and that his support was also contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians.
Following the report, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accused the PKR de facto leader of being a Jewish sympathiser and a leader who disregarded the plight of the Palestinians.
The former prime minister also alleged that the US and Israel were conspiring to cause a regime change in Malaysia through a “puppet government” to be led by his former deputy.
But Anwar shot back, saying that unlike Dr Mahathir he had never met any Israeli leaders.
Muslim-majority Malaysia is a staunch supporter of Palestine and has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
Muslim politicians have long vied for support from Malays by denouncing what they say are inhumane acts of aggression by Israel towards its neighbour.
Anwar has previously been attacked as a supporter of the Zionist movement due to his interaction with prominent Jewish figures in the West.
But the Permatang Pauh MP turned the tables on Umno and Barisan Nasional in 2010 when he claimed public relations firm APCO Worldwide, then contracted by Putrajaya, was responsible for both the 1 Malaysia and 1 Israel campaigns.
2. MySinChew（http://www.mysinchew.com）
Motion to discuss Israel trade ban rejected, 30 March 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat has rejected a motion calling for the House to pass a resolution to ban all forms of relations with Israel, including trade ties, either directly or indirectly.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said the decision was made on the ground that the matter had been raised before, and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry had given its clarification on Monday.
"Hence, I reject this motion under Standing Order 18 (7) (b)," he said today.
The motion was tabled by Er Teck Hwa (DAP-Bakri) who asked the House to debate the motion under Standing Order 18, urging the prime minister to withdraw all Cabinet decisions made in 1996 on trade ties with Israel.
Er also urged the government to recognise Hamas, the democratically elected ruling party in Palestine.
3. Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
M'sian Gas Association denies seeking Israeli backing, 31 March 2012
by Bernama
The Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) has rejected PKR’s claim of the government’s involvement in seeking support from Israel for MGA’s bid for the International Gas Union (IGU) presidency, saying the claim is utterly false, misleading and in fact incorrect.
The association said in a statement today that to its knowledge, no candidate from Israel has registered for the 25th World Gas Conference scheduled for five days beginning June 4, 2012.
MGA is a charter member of the IGU since 1986 and has played an active role in the union since then.
In a clarification on a letter from MGA dated Sept 6, 2005 to the general manager of the Israel Institute of Petroleum & Energy (IIPE), MGA said "it was in response to IIPE’s query whether delegates from Israel would be allowed to participate in the World Gas Conference should Malaysia win the presidency.
"They had also indicated then that they would support Malaysia’s candidacy for the presidency of the IGU."
IIPE is also a charter member of the IGU.
"Since IIPE indicated that they would support MGA’s bid for the presidency of the IGU, MGA thanked them for their declaration of support and clarified that in line with the Members’ Charter, IIPE would have to be present at the IGU’s Council Meeting in order to be eligible to vote," it said.
MGA noted that the IIPE in fact "did not attend the IGU Council Meeting in October in Tianjin, China" and hence "was not able to vote."
According to MGA, the IGU requires charter members to be physically present at its Council Meeting to be eligible to vote.
It noted that "proxy voting was not allowed."
Malaysia allows delegates from Israel
In one part of the letter, MGA said it merely clarified IIPE’s query on their potential participation in IGU-organised events in Malaysia should Malaysia win the bid.
MGA said it sought advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was informed that Malaysia would allow delegates from Israel, as it would delegates from other countries, to travel to Malaysia to participate in an international conference organised by the relevant international organisation.
Established in July 1986 as a non-profit organisation whose founder members were Petronas, Shell, BP, Caltex and Esso, MGA now has 142 members consisting of companies representing the oil and gas industry in Malaysia.
Its aspiration is to create synergy in realising and harnessing the potential of the gas industry by driving the increased utilisation of gas through research and development (R&D) initiatives, while promoting its usage domestically and internationally.
- Bernama
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