The anti-Israel spirit that swept Kuala Lumpur recently following Israel's deadly assault on the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla found its way to Penang, but with a much milder force.

Unlike the fiery protest in KL, the rally at the Speaker's Corner yesterday was low-key with only about 30 participants, including politicians and NGO activists .

Demonstrators in the federal capital torched the Israeli flag, a Palestinian attempted suicide in front of the US Embassy on Jalan Tun Razak, and a memorandum condemning Israel was handed over to the United Nations, among other acts of protest.

NONE In Penang, amidst several plainclothes policemen armed with video cameras, the rally ended with participants observing a minute of silence for the victims who died aboard the Turkish ship.

Passengers included the 12 Malaysians reportedly safe and on their way to Jordan.

During his speech, Komtar (DAP) assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik derided Prime Minister Najib Razak for his lacklustre attitude towards the attack on the flotilla sending aid to Gaza.

"He took 12 hours to register his anger," remarked Ng, referring to Najib's twitter message.

Question of firm or soft stand

NONE "This shows that he is in a situation where he does not know what to do- he does not know whether to make a firm stand or adopt a soft approach towards the Zionist regime," said the state exco.

"Our leaders' stand on this issue is very clear... they might not want to offend Apco, because they need the organisation to promote his empty slogan of 1Malaysia," added Ng ( left ), who is also state PR youth secretary.

He was echoing the demand by the Youth wings of Pakatan Rakyat for the federal government to terminate its contract with public relations firm Apco Worldwide . He also called on Najib to stop being a ‘hypocrite'.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member Choo Chon Kai ( below ) urged the government to intensify pressure on the US to impose an arms embargo on Israel.

He also called on all governments, including Asean members, to urge the US to close down its military bases around the world.

NONE "Malaysia must play a more active role to stop US adventures around the world, for example, in the various US-Free Trade Agreements where Malaysia can become a new colony for the US," he said.

Others NGOs present were Penang-based social reform group Aliran, Suaram and USM's Student Progressive Front.