Like Eric Paulsen ( Why I do not support Peace Malaysia

), I too do not support Peace Malaysia. I am for peace for the Iraqi people (not Saddam Hussein), but I think Peace Malaysia is not genuine or sincere.

It is a Barisan Nasional-managed stage show to gain cheap domestic political capital by exploiting Malaysians' well-meaning sympathy to the ordinary Iraqi people.

First and foremost, unlike the courageous and principled position taken by Keadilan/PRM, Peace Malaysia has never mentioned the atrocities and abuses of human rights of the Saddam Hussein regime. This I cannot accept because it is grossly dishonest.

Second, the mammoth gathering in Bukit Jalil stadium was not conducted solemnly to fit the theme for peace; instead, the crowd seemed to o­nly enjoy singing and dancing when the people of Iraq are suffering from the scourge of war.

Third, I never believe that the conflict between Iraq and the United States is a clash between the "Christian West" and "Islamic Iraq", as claimed by the chief patron of Peace Malaysia, PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

I am glad that Keadilan/PRM has offered a better and more balanced position, albeit with less fanfare, that stresses o­n universal and human rights values, not clash of civilisations, hedonism or irrational anti-Americanism.