Some 30 protestors gathered at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) building in Kuala Lumpur today to demand Malaysia cease all trade with Israel.

Led by Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), the protestors say that Miti’s explanation that the trade recorded by the International Trade Centre (ITC) is “indirect” trade.

“We want Miti to stop any sort of trade, direct or indirect with Israel,” SAMM founder Badrul Hisham Shaharin, who led the five-minute march from the Federal Territories Mosque after Friday prayers, told Malaysiakini.

Addressing the protestors via loudspeaker, the activist better known as Chegubard also threatened to take over Miti’s office in a second protest if the trade does not cease.

“I know Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is afraid of America. But he must know that the entire nation will be behind him if he only were to stand up against Israel,” he said, referring to the US’ close ties with Israel.

The 'anti-Israel' protestors, who carried Palestinian flags and anti-Israel placards, also chanted slogans like “ Bangkit! Bangkit! Hidup, Gaza! ” and “ Hancur Israel! ”.

Police, which formed a human barricade to block the protestors from entering Miti compounds, only allowed five representatives to enter to hand over a memorandum of protest.

However, Badrul Hisham expressed unhappiness with how the representatives were allegedly treated.

“They were not invited inside to discuss and hand over the memorandum.

“Instead, Miti's deputy general of Industrial Development Nik Rahmat Nik Taib avoided many questions and refused to stamp the memorandum with their company's stamp. He only gave his signature,” he said.

Our voices ignored

PAS Women's Elections Director Aiman Athirah Aljundi, who was one of the five representatives present, also fumed over the apparent snub.

“It felt as though our voices were completely ignored. They were cynical and were unresponsive when asked why we were not allowed in,” she said.

The protestors also tied black strips of cloth on Miti’s gates to symbolise the end of trade with Israel.

On Aug 26, Badrul Hisham alleged that GLC’s have been utilising services of Israeli-based companies and using components imported from Israel. 

However International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed in a statement on Aug 26 denied all allegations by saying that any trade with Israel is indirect.

He also said that any trade with the western part of Palestine is also recorded as trade with Israel as the goods will have to go through the Ashdod port in Israel, as the Gaza port has been blockaded.

He added that the government has no control over the network of the global supply and value chain of which Israel is a part of.