PKR strategy director and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin is seemingly facing backlash in a recent social media post for defending his so-called political master and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the latter’s quest to rebuild war-torn Gaza.
The is despite the Madani government lawmaker’s justifying that Malaysia “must be part of the international rebuilding effort” so as to reciprocate financial aid once rendered to the country by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and World Bank (US) when it was poor and developing.
To re-cap, PMX himself has slammed several quarters for having questioned Putrajaya’s efforts in helping to rebuild Gaza as this is line with Islamic teaching of extending help to those in need, especially fellow believers.
Rebuilding Gaza
Many people questioned the priorities of the Prime Minister @anwaribrahim for his intention to help rebuild Gaza.
Prioritise Malaysia First. They said.
First, Let us go back to our history.
Malaysia, although a small country, has always contributed to…
— SimTzeTzin 沈志勤 🇲🇾 (@simtzetzin) February 1, 2025
Human rights activist Siti Kasim has fumed at PMX’s ringgit-stretching vision with her contention that charity should begin at home, a view which was echoed by former cabinet minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who, too, suggested the government should prioritise resolving domestic issues before committing to the Gaza mission.
At the very onset, Sim who was the former political secretary to PMX who himself is the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman was ticked off for “his excessive praises for BN (Barisan Nasional)” who administered Malaysia for six decades prior to be ‘dethroned’ in the 2018 national polls.
Few commenters argued that while it is always a virtue “to have a humanitarian heart”, it is equally important for the country to set its priorities right for it is not in a sound financial position to fund the reconstruction of Gaza.
Another challenged the Madani government to first “reduce the RON95 price to at least RM1.99/litre” before PMX can embark on his great plan.
In fact, even a like-minded Muslim commenter further contended that it would not be appropriate to use taxpayers’ monies in such exercise which should instead leverage “NGO funds like Aman Palestine or crowdfunding” to which he has no qualms contributing.
Another commenter concurred that while Sim who is also a member of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is “duty-bound to defend his political master who is obsessed about Gaza”, it is wrong to use taxpayers’ monies or to argue “humanitarian as a moral high ground”.
One just wondered if they would be permanent peace in that part of the world called Gaza given the Gaza war is not over yet for “it’s merely ceasefire now” while the national debt itself has spiralled to RM1 tril.
At the end of the day, shouldn’t the reconstruction of Sabah and Sarawak or even rural parts of Peninsular Malaysia be prioritised over Gaza? – Feb 3, 2025
One commenter nailed PMX’s good intent best by proposing that all Madani government MPs “donate three months of your salaries and allowances for the good cause” rather than touching the taxpayers’ monies. – Feb 3, 2025
