Azhar Harun, in a Facebook post today, called for those behind the rally to look back to last December when another rally was held in solidarity with the Rohingya community who were being persecuted in Myanmar.
“I remember the ‘perhimpunan’ (rally) for the Rohingya sometime ago. The speeches were fiery. Like we were going to war or something.
“Was it of any help to the Rohingyas? Actually, the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingyas increased by several notches after that,” Azhar said, referring to the joint Umno-PAS rally, led by Prime Minister Najib Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, at the Stadium Titiwangsa on Dec 4 last year.
Azhar, who is more fondly known as Art, also recalled the comment by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at the recent Umno general assembly, saying that the army was ready to be deployed in Jerusalem if it is called upon, alluding to it being another example of a fiery speech that would not amount to anything.
The rally for Jerusalem is expected to be led by both Najib and Hadi, and the two leaders are expected to highlight Malaysia’s position in response to the decision by United States President Donald Trump to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“No doubt, the PM will announce actions to help the Palestinians. But wouldn’t it be better if he announces this in Parliament so that it could be debated and improved with ideas from the House? And the budget could be properly made and approved if necessary?
Referring to the decision by Trump to not only recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but also to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Azhar questioned the lack of any official protest on a government to government level.
“By the way, as upset and outraged as our PM and government are about the US move, have we, as a sovereign state, sent a protest note to the US embassy here or summoned the US ambassador through the normal diplomatic channels using the normal diplomatic protocol and read him our version of the riot act?”
Earlier this month, Wisma Putra urged the US to reconsider its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In a statement, the ministry said that US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would put an end to all efforts towards a resolution of the Palestinian issue.
Azhar also reminded the government that a major catastrophe was taking place in Yemen, but with no reaction from the leaders.
“By the way, why is there no ‘perhimpunan’ for the Yemen people who are facing a great catastrophe of their own?” he asked.
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