The People's Alliance for Peace Malaysia or commonly known as Peace Malaysia has been criticised by certain quarters to be aligned to pro-establishment groups and political parties.

Today, Peace Malaysia adviser and social activist Lee Lam Thye came out to set the record straight about the month-old alliance.

He explained that Peace Malaysia is a coalition of NGOs, comprising voluntary, youth, uniformed bodies, political parties, religious, welfare, students and professionals with the common goal of pursuing a comprehensive, permanent and just world peace.

Peace Malaysia is no proxy to any political party but a spontaneous and genuine desire by Malaysians to oppose war, he stressed.

Desire for peace

"When Malaysians put their signatures for peace, they did so not because of politics but out of desire for peace and do not want war which will bring unnecessary sufferings," he said in a statement.

Peace Malaysia's campaign to get o­ne million signatures was sparked by concerns against possible United States' military attacks against Iraq.

The campaign surpassed its target of o­ne million signatures a week ahead of its deadline.

Yesterday, Mohd Ali Rustam, president of the national 4B Youth Movement (the campaign's main lobby group), said feedback from the movement's branches showed that the target had been met.

Permanent movement

The signatures would be handed over to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit here from Feb 20 to 25.

Lee said Peace Malaysia should remain a permanent movement to advocate regional and world peace.

He was pleased with the overwhelming support from Malaysians "which proves that Malaysia is a small nation with a big voice.

"We are united for peace and against war, which will o­nly bring hardship and suffering," he added.