Former Batu MP Tian Chua today said that a civil society-led movement has paved the way for bipartisan solidarity with Palestinians under siege in Gaza.
Tian Chua, the spokesperson for Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP), told Malaysiakini that the show of support, while unprecedented, should not come as a surprise.
"I'm not surprised because they have all separately made the call, and the call for humanity in Palestine’s case is a universal demand.
“Malaysians across ethnicity, religion and political divide have made the same call,” said the former PKR vice-president.
“The only thing different is when a social activist or NGO initiate something, everyone will join.
"Otherwise, maybe today PKR will hold a protest, the next day PAS and so on," he said when met at a site some 200m away from the US Embassy building in Kuala Lumpur.
Last night, SSP launched a protest that started with a march from the nearby Tabung Haji mosque, and organisers announced it will be holding a symbolic "blockade” for six days until the new year.
The picket is in response to the US vetoing efforts by the United Nations to push for a ceasefire in Gaza amid continued assault by Israel.
Tian Chua said SSP will continue to defend its campsite, where two large tents were left pitched as of around 10am, despite a warning notice by Kuala Lumpur City Hall for alleged obstruction of a public area.
Last night, protesters set up five tents on the curb of Jalan Tun Razak, under a pedestrian bridge opposite The Icon Tower.
Tian Chua said they had complied with DBKL's order to take down the tents, but the ones left were put up once again as there were signs of rain at around dawn.
The number of protesters on site is expected to vary throughout the day, with a planned mega rally on Dec 31.
The collective group consists of 35 CSOs, 15 student groups and 13 political parties.
‘Activities for participants’
Among them include the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim), Sisters in Islam (SIS), Bersih, the Malaysian Punjabi Youth Movement, the various university wings of political parties, Muda, PSM, Pejuang, and the youth wings of PAS, PKR, Amanah, Bersatu, DAP, MCA and Umno (Puteri Umno).
Meanwhile, Tian Chua said organisers have also prepared night activities for participants - which include appearances by poets, musicians, writers and others.
"Anyone can come here at any time to show solidarity.
"For those who are here, we may also leave for a while and come back. It’s flexible, but the main message is clear," he said.
Standing up against injustice
Met by reporters at the site, MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong reaffirmed the wing's support for the movement, echoing the need to transcend political differences for a humanitarian cause.
"When we see injustices happening anywhere, we must stand together and deliver our message of protest," he said.
At around 11.30am, a team of DBKL enforcers on site confirmed there had been no instructions received for them to dismantle the tents, despite the earlier notices.
While unauthorised to be quoted, a senior enforcer who engaged with Tian Chua indicated that SSP can proceed with their plans at the site until Sunday. - Mkini
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