Members of parliament from both the government and the opposition today condemned the US' air strikes against Afghanistan.

Syed Azman Syed Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Terengganu), who moved a motion to debate the issue, said that there appeared to be an effort to refer Muslims as "terrorists, militants and fundamentalists".

He said all forms of terrorism against innocent people, including the "state terrorism committed by the Israeli regime" against the Palestinians, must be condemned.

The US military strikes, which began on Sunday, was in retaliation to the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon which was blamed on alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, now living in Afghanistan.

Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) said that any steps taken to deal with terrorism must be done in such a manner it protects innocent people.

Tan said the Sept 11 terror attacks and the air strikes on Afghanistan have created a gulf between Muslims and the non-Muslims.

"Religious polarisation has become worst. Everyone must work towards eradicating such polarisation," he said.

Militant members

Tan also supported Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for a global conference against terrorism.

He said biological, chemical, nuclear weapons must be banned to avoid human sufferings.

Saupi Daud (Keadilan-Tanah Merah) queried why people were willing to die for a cause and why the attacks were against the US.

However, he urged the government not to link terrorism with demonstrations organised by the opposition or to use the term as an excuse to arrest PAS and Keadilan members.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datoh) said both the BN and the opposition were united in condemning all forms of violence.

He agreed that state terrorism must also be eliminated and urged political parties to dismiss members who were militants, in an obvious reference to opposition party PAS.

"Also do not turn 'jihad' (holy war) into something that is bad and smear the name of Islam," he urged.

Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said that violence should not be linked to any race or religion.

He said there were Muslims, Christians, Hindus as well as Jews were involved with terrorism.

Proper definition

Mohamad nevertheless took the opportunity to score points against PAS.

"If PAS is really serious against terrorism, they must ask their members not to join the Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia or Al Ma'unah ," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Foreign Affairs Ministry Leo Michael Toyad lamented that the debate came two days after Mahathir had presented the government's stand.

He said that the government condemned the terrorists attacks on the US and supported the move to bring them to justice by freezing their assets and sharing of information.

"We stressed the same message to both (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair and (US President) George Bush - that the war will not solve any problems but aggravate matters," Toyad said.

"We also insisted on a proper definition for terrorism and have taken part in discussions on how to deal with this problem in the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries)," he added.