KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 ― Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed an emergency motion in the Dewan Rakyat today to debate the recent deadly shooting at a Christchurch mosque in New Zealand.
In his speech, the Port Dickson MP said that the Parliament stands with the stern decision taken by the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Adern in tackling the incident, and condemned the shootout which claimed 49 lives.
The debate session for the motion is set to begin at 4.30pm.
“The terror instigator tried to provoke Muslims to carry out a counter attack. Apart from that, they tried to trigger fear and suspicion among non-Muslims towards Muslims,” Anwar said, labelling the shooter Brenton Harrison Tarrant a coward.
“We should not allow anyone to distort the harmony which we have built, or to instill fear towards one another.
“Islam like other religion, stresses greatly on the importance of instilling peace. Islam teaches us to celebrate diversity.
“The incident in New Zealand becomes a lesson to us in Malaysia, to continue preserving our harmony and unity among those of various backgrounds, and to never practice politics of hate, that divides,” the former deputy prime minister added.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof then consented to the emergency motion, noting that it is urgent, and one that is of public interest.
Tarrant has been charged with murder a day after the shooting and will be detained until April 15. The police have also arrested three others for hostilities.
50 people died in the shootout while scores more sustained injuries after the shooter opened fire in the mosque, during Friday prayers.
The incident drew global condemnation, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also vowing to amend the country’s gun laws.
