Don’t politicise DAP’s solidarity with Palestinians, says Guan Eng

FMT:

Don’t politicise DAP’s solidarity with Palestinians, says Guan Eng


Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng ticks off a PAS MP for asking why DAP has yet to issue an official statement on the conflict in Gaza.

Lim Guan Eng told Ahmad Marzuk Shaary not to play politics over Gaza after being repeatedly asked to confirm DAP’s official position on the issue.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) has slammed Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) for politicising the conflict in Gaza.

In the Dewan Rakyat today, the DAP chairman was condemning Israeli aggression at the beginning of his debate speech on the 2024 Supply Bill when he was interrupted by the PAS MP, who asked whether DAP had issued an official statement on Gaza.

Marzuk raised the question because he claimed that some countries in the region are standing with Israel. However, he did not name any country.

Lim said Marzuk “is not following up on what is happening” since Howard Lee (PH-Ipoh Timor) had previously issued statements about the crisis on behalf of the party.

Marzuk asked whether Lim understood his question about releasing an official statement, noting that PAS had done so previously.

“Don’t try to play politics on the Gaza issue. We have taken a stance by condemning what has happened,” Lim said.

“DAP has issued statements, so why are you trying to politicise this? Don’t try to question our sincerity in opposing the cruelty that is taking place (in Gaza).”

“This is the kind of outdated thinking coming from PAS when it is questioning our opposition (to Israel). This is too much.”

The pair continued to argue back and forth before deputy speaker Alice Lau intervened, and Lim continued giving his input to the debate.

Meanwhile, Lim called upon the government to delay adjusting tax rates, citing the current economic challenges.

He said the 10% capital gains tax on net profit derived from the disposal of local companies’ unlisted shares would worry Bursa-listed companies, which might feel that the tax will be enforced on them as well.

He added that the increase of the sales and service tax (SST) from 6% to 8% and the expansion of the scope of taxable services to include logistical services would lead to the rising cost of basic items and the overall cost of living.

“We hope that it will not be implemented in (2024). This increase in the service tax would lead to more people believing that the goods and services tax (GST) would be lower,” he added.