A delegation comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) representatives and supporters met with Palestinian embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur today to convey wishes for the recovery of ailing Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat.

PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, who led the 10-member group to met with deputy ambassador Dr Azmi Al-Daqqua, said the party wished to express its admiration for Arafat's courage, determination, selflessness and sacrifices as well as PKR's solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.

"There are different views about Arafat, but we still regard him as a symbol of unity for the Palestinian people and the leader who can lead the people in their just struggle for liberation and justice," Syed Husin told reporters before entering the embassy compound.

"We also wish to express our solidarity with the people of Palestine who have continuously suffered repression under the Zionist regime of Israel and who have been evicted from their land and killed."

Syed Husin also criticised the Israeli government for worsening the conflict in Palestine by killing scores of women, children and the elderly, and for casting "genuine freedom fighters" as terrorists.

PKR called for the issues affecting Palestine to be resolved through peaceful means and urged the international community to take steps to ensure that this is done.

Order to leave

Today's expression of support by the opposition party was marred by the initial refusal of the security and police officers present to allow the group into the compound.

The security officer eventually allowed them to enter after speaking to embassy officials and receiving the green light.

However, a police officer instructed the security guard to order the group to "leave immediately upon exiting the gates and not to linger in front of the embassy".

PKR Youth information chief Latheefa Koya expressed bewilderment over the conduct of the officers, saying the group was there to express "support for the Palestinians, not demonstrating against them".

Other PKR leaders included ex-ISA detainee Tian Chua and migrant workers' rights activist Irene Fernandez, who wore a kiffeyah in the Palestinian colours of red, black, green and white.