Anwar supports government's stance to ban Israeli athletes

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim backed the stance of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Malaysian government to prohibit Israeli athletes from competing in the 2019 World Para Swimming Championship in Kuching, Sarawak this July.

“I think the Cabinet considers this as one of the ways to convey very strong position against Israel's transgression on Palestinians.

“They (Israel) completely ignore the international community pressure, so I think the Cabinet has made the right decision,” he told the media after the proclamation ceremony of Kampung Kerinchi and the launching of Lembah Pantai MP's Office here today.

Also present were Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.

On Jan 10, Dr Mahathir said the government maintained its stand of prohibiting Israeli athletes from competing in the swimming championship, and if they insist on participating it would be a violation of the ban.

Prior to this PAS president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also expressed his support at the stance of the government which he considered to be accurate and in line with Malaysia's foreign policy which has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

In the meantime, commenting on the direct reprimand from some party leaders towards him, Anwar who is also the Port Dickson MP, said he took a gentle approach.

“PKR has a disciplinary bureau, but I will take a softer approach, you want to scream, go ahead,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the Kampung Kerinchi proclamation ceremony, Fahmi said he was in talks with the Kuala Lumpur City Mayor's office, to gazette on the full name of Kampung Kerinchi.

“The current name used in the postcode is Kerinchi, but I want to emphasise the full name 'Kampung Kerinchi' must be maintained.

“Not to be embarrassed, but we want to keep the historical origin even though this area has been developed with many commercial offices such as in Bangsar South, which is actually in the area of Kampung Kerinchi,” he said.

-- BERNAMA