Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) MP Mayeenuddin Khan Badal in parliament on Monday opposed the signing of a 'defence pact' between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia saying “It may invite danger for the country”.
Taking the floor on point of order JSD MP urged the Speaker to examine whether the Constitution was violated through inking the deal.
On February 14, Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh and Deputy Chief of Staff of Saudi Armed Forces Lt Gen Mutlaqbin Salim Al-azaima signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at the Saudi Ministry of Defence in Riyadh, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.
What is the deal about?
Under the MoU, the two countries will help each other in the fields of military training, practice and education, military information and intelligence, defence industry, supply and maintenance, visit and exchange of experiences, military treatment and research, sports, social and cultural activities, science and technology, exchange of military members, marine security and cooperation to stop piracies.
Badal, also the executive president of a faction of JSD said he wants to submit a notice under section 68 of the rules of procedure of parliament to discuss the issue and the country’s foreign policy in the House.
Why is Saudi Arabia not doing the dangerous job though it is their own problem, why it will provide Bangladesh Tk 500 crore annually to remove mines from the Yemen border, Badal questioned?
Warning
"It's very dangerous to be engaged in such a conflict. It should be examined whether the constitution was breached through the deal, also parliament should have its own views in this regard. Otherwise, questions may be raised about it in the future," the ruling coalition MP said.
He said the state shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter as per Article 25 of the Constitution.
Needs UN’s mandate
The JSD MP said Bangladesh should not involve in any conflicting issue without the UN's mandate.
Badal said Pakistan could not send the army to Saudi Arabia as its parliament opposed it.
On February 14, two senior MPs - Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon and Jatiya Party leader Fakhrul Imam - in parliament demanded a statement from the Foreign Minister about the 'defence pact'.
They demanded the Foreign Minister make a statement under the section 300 of the rules of procedure in parliament over the 'agreement' and urged the Speaker to pass a ruling on the issue from the constitutional aspect.
