Despite much hype in recent days that thousands of slippers will greet the arrival of former Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair to Malaysia, only about 100 protesters - including a number of Iraqis - staged a peaceful protest at Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya today.

The protesters - displaying banners and buntings featuring ‘War Criminal, Tony Blair, No Entry’ and shouting: ‘Blair is an international war criminal and charge him in the international war crime court’ - were closely monitored by about 20 policemen who were stationed to ensure peace.

iraq attack tony blair Protesters, comprising those from non-governmental organisations and Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) had started gathering from 9.30am. Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali later joined the group and proceeded to throw slippers at banners featuring Blair and setting them on fire.

Blair is in Malaysia to attend and speak at a three-day business congress which started yesterday at the Sunway Resorts Hotel & Spa Convention Centre organised by a Singapore-based company, Success Resources Company.

Indictment submitted

Ibrahim and four other NGO representatives were later allowed into the convention centre by the police to submit an indictment issued by the ‘Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission’ against the former British prime minister.

Ibrahim emerged half-and-hour later and told reporters that he was not able to meet Blair but managed to submit the indictment to his representative which details the judgement of the ‘Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission’ convened in 2008 by the Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO), headed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The document also contained a similar call to refer former US President George W Bush, Blair's ally, to the war crimes tribunal, for invading Iraq in 2003.

– Bernama