Palestinian solidarity group backs activist's hunger strike

Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP) has backed activist M Mythreyar over his announced hunger strike that will kick off tomorrow morning.

In a statement today, SSP spokespersons Amir Hadi and Nur Hafizah Shamsudin expressed the group’s solidarity with Mythreyar (above).

“Today marks the 275th day since Israel launched its massacre on the people of Gaza. There is no sign that the Zionist regime intends to stop its genocidal campaign against the Palestinians.

“All international appeals and diplomatic efforts continue to fall on deaf ears in Tel Aviv. As the death toll increases, we in Malaysia shall continue to strengthen our solidarity with Palestine,” they said.

Aside from verbal condemnation and humanitarian aid, SSP said the Malaysian government hasn’t done much in support of Palestine and has yet to endorse the global strategy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

“What is more disappointing is that the government is not willing to sanction Zionist-linked investments.

“SSP respects and salutes the courage of Mythreyar for his commitment to the solidarity struggle for Palestine.

“We encourage all supporters of the Palestinian liberation to come to support his effort,” said Hafizah and Amir, who is also Muda’s secretary-general.

On Friday, Mythreyar announced plans to go on a hunger strike in front of the Parliament building to protest the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) shares to a Blackrock-linked company.

The activist from Tanjung Malim, Perak, said he will continue the hunger strike until the government cancels the offer.

“I will quietly go on a hunger strike, pleading with the government to cancel the deal between our government, MAHB, and Blackrock.

“For more than eight months, I have been going up and down stages, taking to the streets, and sleeping for seven days near the US embassy.

“I have also staged silent protests in front of KLCC and the Mandarin Hotel. But there has not been even a one percent change,” said the 46-year-old.

Blackrock deal

Last Wednesday, Deputy Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) had expressed readiness to become a minority shareholder in MAHB and is prepared to relinquish its stake within a short period.

He also highlighted that GIP was chosen based on strict criteria, including the willingness to appoint Malaysians as the chairperson and managing director of MAHB.

Blackrock is in the process of acquiring GIP as its subsidiary. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

GIP has said its existing leadership team will retain full control of the company and companies it has invested in after the acquisition by Blackrock is complete.

Blackrock is the world’s largest asset management company and has come under criticism for investing in companies that supply weapons to Israel.

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