UPDATED 11.45PM Ten thousand people took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur today calling for the US to take a stern position against Israel for its attack on the Gaza aid flotilla.

Pakatan Rakyat led the main protest from the Kampung Baru mosque from where more than 7,000 people - mainly supporters of PKR and PAS - had congregated after Friday prayers before marching to the US Embassy.

NONE Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim accompanied by PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, PKR's president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and deputy president Syed Husin Ali spearheaded the four-kilometre march.

Several parliamentarians were also sighted in the mass rally marching alongside the protesters, enthusiastically joining them in their chorus of slogans such as " Ya Allah, hancurkan Israel " (God destroy Israel) and "Go to hell, Zionists'.

Among them were Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian), Dzulkefly Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Selangor), Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai), Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah), Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) and Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam).

NONE Along the way to the embassy, many women and children joined in as the crowd came near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. These included several tourists and curious onlookers who were seen taking pictures of the march.

PAS' Unit Amal members were deployed to assist the police in marshalling the peaceful protest by organising and guiding traffic flow on the busy Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, another group, mainly made up of non-governmental organisations, marched some hundred metres from the Tabung Haji building to the US Embassy to express their dissatisfaction over the attack on the vessel Mavi Marmara , which was ferrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

More than 2,000 angry protesters joined the Lifeline4Gaza movement and several other NGOs comprising Haluan, Mawaddah, Palestine Centre of Excellence (Pace), Muslim Care and Aqsa Shariff in the demonstration.

Although the protest proceeded without a permit, police presence was low. They did not place any blockade and did not attempt to halt the march, except near the US embassy entrance.

NONE The march leaders at the US embassy gate had a minor disagreement with the sentries as only 12 were allowed in to hand over the memorandum.

'US and Obama are too weak'

Speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum to the acting US ambassador, Anwar said: "We would like to say that the US, including its president who is too weak, must stop the violence by Israel on the people of Palestine.

"We want (US President Barack) Obama to use his influence and power to stop this long-standing violence.

"This rally shows that Muslims and non-Muslims in this country are committed to the issues of justice and oppose the continued aggression against the Palestinians.

"The memorandum was submitted to condemn Israel's aggression, but more so to compel Obama to be firm and (act) tough (against Israel)."

NONE Anwar said Malaysians believed that the US president could do more to resolve the long-standing bloody battle between the Palestinians and Israelis if there was a strong will from the superpower.

Earlier, Lifeline4Gaza crisis management team chairperson Zulkifli Nani and his secretary Solahuddin Salleh also submitted a memorandum to the US government.

"We demand the US government re-consider its ties with Israel. An open investigation into the attack should be carried out," said Zulkifli.

He also called on nations worldwide to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and show their support toward ending the misery of the Palestinians.

Asked about the perceived apathy of Malaysian government over the matter, one of the representatives from Hauzah Ar Ridha, Mohd Kamil Zuhairi Abdul Aziz, said: "We, the rakyat of Malaysia, must step up and represent the country on the matter. The government has its own duties."

Lifeline4Gaza is an NGO that participated in 'Freedom Flotilla' to bring humanitarian aid and supplies to the Gaza strip.

Khairy warns Israel

In another part of the city, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamuluddin addressed some 200 supporters who gathered at the National Mosque and urged the Malaysian government to ensure that the rights of the Palestine people were upheld.

NONE The rally, which lasted for about 30 minutes, saw speeches made by Khairy and representatives from local NGOs such as Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Negara (Perkasa), Kongress India Muslim Malaysia (Kimma) and Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS).

Khairy warned that if there was no change in the stance of the Israeli government as a result of the protests being carried out in Malaysia, "...we (the supporters) will go straight to Gaza to face the Israelis".

Supporters were seen carrying banners that read "Justice for Gaza" while reciting anti-Israel slogans such as "Down with Israel" and "Save Palestine".

Seyfuddin Seyif, a representative of an Islamic NGO from Turkey who also attended the rally, urged the Malaysian public to boycott American goods such as McDonald's and Levi's as these US multinational corporations were seen to be supporters of Israel.

Nationwide rallies

11.45PM Bernama this evening reported nationwide rallies. In Johor Bharu, over 100 NGO and Pakatan Rakyat party members held a rally in the compound of Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar after Friday prayers.

The anti-Israel rally in heavy rain lasted 30 minutes and ended with burning of the flags of Israel and United States.

In Kota Bharu, some 5,000 Muslims gathered near Sultan Mohammed Stadium for special prayers for Palestinians led by Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

He said the Kelantan government spent RM25,000 monthly under the Palestinian Education Aid Fund to finance Palestinian students at several institutions of higher learning.

In Penang, over 500 people participated in an rally organised by Penang Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) at Masjid Kapitan Keling.

The 30-minute anti-Israel protest after Friday prayers was filled with fiery speeches by NGO representatives.    

In Tawau, about 100 Muslims held a peaceful rally at Masjid Al-Kauthar after Friday prayers to protest Israeli violence.

Special prayers were also held for the safety of Palestinians and the humantarian vessel heading for Gaza.

Mavi Marmara Malaysians return

In Ipoh, the family of Selamat Aliman, one of 12 Malaysian activists on board the Mavi Marmara raided by Israeli commandos, would be holding a feast to mark his return.

 

Selamat, 54, a member of Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) was expected to arrive at KL International Airport (KLIA) early Sunday with nine others, including two staff of Astro Awani.

His wife Faezah Hassan, 52, said no date had been set as it would depend on Selamat's work schedule. 

PHOTO GALLERY 

VIDEO | 10 mins Pakatan Rakyat rally 

VIDEO | 10 mins Umno Youth protest at the National Mosque

Reporting by S Pathmawathy, Abdul Rahim Sabri, Siah Chong Yan, S Vasugi, Zulaikha Zulkifli, Puteri Aida Haryani and Gavaskar Brian Raj.