By Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2023 kicked off today with a strong message from Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari condemning the inhumane attacks on Palestine that has led to the death of thousands of innocent people.
In his opening speech, Amirudin expressed the state’s unequivocal support for peace, describing the ongoing attacks by Israel as acts of terror.
“Before I begin, I would like to say a few words about the appalling and completely unscrupulous attacks against the Palestinians by a regime which is hell bent on eliminating millions of defenceless people — women, children, and the elderly — at all costs.
“On behalf of the people of Selangor, I say in no uncertain terms, that we fully condemn these acts of terror, especially the attacks against hospitals, places of worship, and homes.
“We stand in solidarity with all who uphold peace and justice, not only through meaningless words but in rightful and meaningful actions,” he said.
His comment was met with applause from the some 2,000 attendees present at the SIBS 2023 opening ceremony, here, today.
The attacks on Gaza in recent weeks have claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians, with countless others injured or displaced.
On Tuesday, Israel launched an airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, killing at least 500 civilians.
The terror attack has triggered global outrage, with world leaders demanding an end to the massacre of innocents.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also condemned the attacks on Palestine and is set to discuss the ongoing conflict during his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia beginning today, in a strategic effort to broker peace.
Anwar said the visit will serve as an opportunity for him to engage with other regional leaders to work on a framework for potential resolutions to the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) has announced its withdrawal from the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) 2023 scheduled in Frankfurt, Germany, this month, after the organiser issued a statement supporting Israel.
“Book fairs ought to act as a neutral platform and not promote any biassed political agendas, but instead they must nurture unity and justice within the book industry ecosystem,” PPAS said in a statement yesterday.
