PERLIS could usher in the new year with no celebrations if the state takes up the suggestion by Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

Shukri, when tabling a motion to condemn Israel’s aggression in the state assembly today, said this was in sympathising with the Palestinians, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, who are suffering in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“How can we organise such entertainment programmes when our ‘saudara’ (kin) are being shot dead over there?” Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.

“So, I suggest that there should be no programmes in the form of singing and dancing, which are ‘melalaikan’ (lead one astray) on New Year’s Eve in Perlis,” he added.

Shukri said the killing of Palestinians by Israel has been taking place for a long time with no solutions from the world powers to end the conflict.

“The cruelty continues with the mass killing of vulnerable groups without mercy – women, children and the elderly.

“This crime has been taking place for a long time and is still viewed with apathy. There are no concrete solutions from the world powers to end the conflict.”

All 15 Perlis assemblymen reportedly rejected the two-state solution to toe Hamas’ line in the refusal to recognise the existence of Israel.

The Perlis assembly is controlled by PAS and Perikatan Nasional.

The lone opposition member is PKR’s Indera Kayangan representative Gan Ay Ling. – December 13, 2023.