Opposition MPs to attend the 64th United Nations General Assembly

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Datuk Anifah Aman has every confidence that the Opposition Members of Parliament will not let Malaysia down when they attend the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.

“First and foremost, they are Malaysian MPs. I believe any Malaysian MP selected to be part of our delegation is wise enough to not run down Malaysia in an international arena,” he told Malay Mail in a telephone interview from New York last night.

Anifah said the three Opposition MPs, that he himself handpicked, were Wee Choo Keong (PKRWangsa Maju), Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baharu) and Hiew King Cheu (DAP-Kota Kinabalu).

“My selection of the MPs was based on their abilities in debating in Parliament. I need to ensure that those I chose to represent Malaysia in an international arena have superior oratory skills.”

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had no objection to his plan to include Opposition members in the delegation.

“We have to allow other Malaysian MPs to grow. I have high respect for those whom I have selected. I have every confidence that they will do well at the UN and they will not let Malaysia down.”

The minister’s decision to include Opposition MPs in the Malaysian delegation was lauded by former General Assembly president (1996-1997) Tan Sri Razali Ismail.

Razali said it was good of the ministry to include Opposition MPs as it mirrors a more united Malaysia.

“The exposure that the MPs will receive at the event could boost their careers tremendously. Networking is going to be crucial, two weeks may not be enough,” he added.

He said the MPs should focus on the issues they were good at, based on their professional background and
expertise.

He also suggested the Foreign Ministry considers having a “national delegation” by including non-governmental
organisations as well.

“There are local NGOs that specialise in certain issues deemed highly relevant in UN debates, such as climate change and human rights. It will certainly benefit the masses if the views of such NGOs can be projected on a global platform.”

( Source )