Putrajaya could have snubbed the US to send a clear signal against its role in Israel's recent offensive in Palestine but the superpower was instead allowed to base over 500 of its army personnel on the east coast of peninsula Malaysia.
 
Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis), a coalition of student groups, said this was tantamount of an endorsement of the violence in Palestine.
 
“The landing of the American soldiers is a symbol that our government recognises the US and its ally Israel's violence against Muslims around the world, particularly the people of Gaza though their Operation Protective Edge for seven weeks,” said Gamis president Abdul Malik Ab Razak.
 
540 United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) from Hawaii and 638 Malaysian army personnel are involved in the Keris Strike Exercise in Kelantan and Terengganu on Sept 13, according to national news agency Bernama.
 
The exercise, aimed at improving knowledge and experience in managing natural disasters, will be carried out from Sept 13 until Sept 26.
 
Abdul Malik urged Putrajaya to stop all military cooperation with the US, warning that the country can learn about Malaysia's military assets and gain geographical information.
 
“Although we were informed by the Malaysian armed forces that the purpose of their (US soldiers) training is for disaster management and to implement United Nations peacekeeping operations, we still feel it's very suspicious,” he said.
 
He added that it was even more disappointing as the exercise is taking place during Malaysia Day.