Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 [5.01 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I rise with a deep sense of responsibility regarding the grave escalation in the Middle East.

¶ 03 On 28 February 2026, a coordinated US–Israel operation targeted not just a military site but the duly and constitutionally elected President of Iran—and killed him. Did any of you condemn it? Did the President? The Foreign Minister? If you did, say so; I will apologize and sit. You did not.

¶ 04 When the US moved against President Nicolás Maduro, your Secretary and Foreign Minister condemned it as “interfering with an internal matter,” even as the US denied involvement. Yet on 28 February 2026, Donald Trump openly stated, “We have eliminated a threat; now it is time for the people of Iran to elect their own President.” That is a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law. Why not condemn it? Is it because Iran is a Muslim state? If you had the spine to oppose US action in Venezuela, you should do the same for Iran. I expect the President to answer here: why no condemnation or condolences?

¶ 05 Perhaps you thought, like Mr. Trump, it would be over in two weeks, that we could still get oil from Singapore and the Strait of Hormuz would not matter. Now we are worried.

¶ 06 Now the oil crisis begins. Hon. Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas, you made important points. Recall during our economic crisis, all PickMe and Uber bicycles were ready to go electric—yet that project stalled. They provide a vital service. As an engineering graduate, you will appreciate this: daytime is when we can supply energy without oil. We need two things: convert all three-wheelers to battery-electric, and convert bicycles to e-bikes. Provide government support. An electric three-wheeler now costs about Rs. 1.9 million; grant a substantial subsidy. This problem will recur next year and the year after—Israel and its allies will throw one spanner after another. Therefore, under government auspices, set up daytime solar-powered battery swap/charge sheds at every public park. Charge and swap e-3W batteries by day, so transport runs without diesel.

¶ 07 Let us also cycle like the Japanese—use e-bikes to come to Parliament if possible. I live nearby in Borella; we can reduce fuel for large vehicles. With chargeable batteries we can transform public transport. Provide a 50% subsidy on e-3Ws around Rs. 1.9 million so when the next Middle East flare-up hits, our transport runs on batteries. I conclude with that proposal.

¶ 08 Thank you.