Socialist International (SI) has expressed its solidarity for DAP chairperson and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh who is currently serving out a six-month suspension from Parliament.

This was expressed during a two-day meeting of 20 parties and organisations in the SI Asia-Pacific committee last week.

DAP international secretary Ronnie Liu, in a statement, said secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had attended the meeting, hosted by the Cambodian People's Party in Phnom Penh.

Karpal Singh was suspended last month for allegedly misleading the House over procedures in the oath-taking ceremony for parliamentarians on May 17. He had refused to apologise after being given the opportunity to do so.

Broad issues

Liu said the meeting also discussed the social democratic perspective of globalisation and governance, and that there was a broad exchange of views and experiences.

The strengthening of democratic governance at global, regional and national levels with mechanisms to ensure fairness and social justice, sustainable development and a more effective rule of law was emphasised.

This was to achieve a form of globalisation which benefits and promotes the well being of people in the Asia Pacific region, he said.

Liu said peace and security were also discussed, especially in view of existing conflicts and threats around the region.

"There was agreement on the particular need for deepening co-operation between nations in Asia and the Pacific and throughout the globe, rather than unilateral or pre-emptive approaches in dealing with these crucial issues," he added.

The committee agreed to convene again in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, next year ahead of the first SI Council meeting of the year.