By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Nov 16 — Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Pua Pei Ling has urged all 56 state assembly members across the political divide to contribute RM5,000 each to help the people of Palestine amid Israel's ongoing raid on Gaza.
Debating the 2024 Selangor Budget today, the Pakatan Harapan lawmaker proposed the donation be made via a special fund managed by Speaker Lau Weng San.
“I suggest the Menteri Besar (Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari), state executive councillors, and all assembly members, regardless of party line, set up a special fund with a RM5,000 donation each.
“If this can be realised, the assembly will be the first in Malaysia to contribute RM280,000 for the use and benefit of the victims in Gaza,” she said at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Despite the war taking place thousands of kilometres away, Selangor’s assemblymen should play a role due to its humanitarian implications.
“Whilst we are in the House today, there are people who cry for help, begging to be rescued.
“At this moment, no ambulances are operating there, while their residents have found themselves surrounded by Israeli forces.
"Water supply, food, electricity, and hospitals have all been destroyed by the Zionists in Gaza. We are witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of human civilisation," Pua said.
Previously, on October 27, the state government donated RM1 million to the Foreign Ministry’s Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine in a show of its unwavering support for Palestinians in Gaza.
