DAP has extended its support for the proposed parliamentary motion by the government to discuss the issue of Palestine and to convey the condolences of Parliament on the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the Palestinian people.

Parliamentary Opposition leader and DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang said in a statement today that the motion is most "proper and appropriate".

He said that as 'triple chair' of three international organisations of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) as well as Asean, it is timely for the Malaysian Parliament to rise up to the occasion to be in the international forefront.

"It is to articulate world concerns about the leading issues of humanity, be it the Middle East, south Thailand or Burma," he stressed.

Lim criticised the government for not making an impact in the international arena although it has been in the chair of NAM and OIC for 21 and 12 months respectively.

Foreign Affairs Committee

He suggested the establishment of an all-party Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs to enable MPs to play a more active role in the formulation and articulation of policies and positions on international questions.

"A motion for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs will also be an excellent occasion for a wide-ranging debate by MPs on all leading international issues," he said.

He also suggested the current budget meeting which is scheduled to adjourn on Dec 14 should be extended another two days.

"This is not only to debate the motion on Palestine and to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, but also to do justice to many important parliamentary business," he said, citing examples of failed government infrastructure projects involving highways, schools and hospitals.