PSM, NGOs gather to urge US to stop provocations for war
Representatives of the group march to the US embassy before handing over a memorandum.
About 50 people gathered at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur today to hand over a memorandum to the US embassy following an airstrike which killed Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani.
The gathering, organised by PSM, was held to rebuke the action from the US and to urge the country to stop provocations that could lead to war.
The gathering started with the participants marching from Masjid Tabung Haji at 2pm before gathering at the shoulder of the road across from the US embassy.
The individual leading the march described the US as “syaitanul akbar” (big demon) through a loudspeaker.
In the midst of traffic, they shouted slogans such as “stop the war”, “down with America”, “destroy Israel”, “Allahuakbar” and other anti-war slogans.
They also brought pictures of Qasem and Iraq’s deputy commander who was also killed in the airstrike on Jan 3.
There were also speeches from representatives of the parties and NGOs who were present, including PSM, Suaram, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), student representatives and others.
The memorandum was then handed to the US embassy by several representatives led by PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj.
In the memorandum, they urged for:
- The US to stop all aggressive and retaliatory actions which could lead to war.
- The US to immediately recall its troops from Iraq.
- Iran and the US to restrain their actions in order to avoid war in the Middle East.
- Stop of all sanctions on Iran.
- Close down all US military bases overseas.
Among others, the memorandum said that the killing of Qasem was a provocative act by US President Donald Trump to increase the tension and to go down a path that could lead to war.
“Let us not forget how the US’ war in Afghanistan and Iraq for the past two decades has brought fear, destruction and suffering to the millions of humans in those areas.
“This war on Iran and another military conflict in Iraq will only worsen the situation,” read the memorandum.
The memorandum was supported by 47 groups including PSM, Abim, Suaram, Kipidap, Gerak, Sahabat Rakyat, Serumpun Malaysia, Sejagat Malaysia, Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy, and Tenaganita.
Jeyakumar told reporters later that the gathering was to send a message that war will affect everyone.
Taking Iraq as an example, he said the war will only give birth to extremist groups which will cause more chaos.
He said the cause of the trouble in the Middle East was when the US decided to support militant groups to fight against other militant groups by providing weapons to them.
“After that, you can no longer stop it (the war).
“The whole problem of Islamic militants and extremism was caused by the US and Britain, not by the religion itself,” he said.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said that to solve the problem of the war, the US needs to recall its soldiers from its bases in other countries, especially in the Middle East.
“As long as this is not resolved, there will still be issues like in Syria, Libya and now in Iran,” he said.
The gathering ended around 3.30pm after it started to rain.
