Anti-War Coalition: Stop the killing

The Penang-based Anti-War Coalition has called on the Tel Aviv and Colombo governments to cease fire and end the killing of innocent people in Gaza Strip and Jaffna Peninsula respectively.

In making this call, the coalition's coordinator Choo Chon Kai said the military action by both governments, which caused the deaths of many civilians, can be described as a form of “ethnic cleansing ”.

“It’s a crime against humanity,” Choo emphasised.

“Both governments should immediately stop their war crimes on innocent people, including children, women and aged people,” he told some 150 people, including children, at an anti-war candlelight vigil in George Town on Saturday night.

The one-hour vigil, organised by the coalition comprising several non-governmental organisations and political parties, began at 9pm outside the Dewan Sri Pinang to protest against the killings in Palestine and Sri Lanka.

DAP’s Parliamentarians Liew Chin Tong (pic) and Chong Eng, PKR assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin, Aliran president P Ramakrishnan, Consumer Association of Penang legal advisor Meenakshi Raman, DAP Jalan Tembikai branch leader K Gunabalan, Citizens International director Mohideen Abdul Kader, and coalition activists Kris Khaira and Rosli Yusof took part in the vigil.

‘Recall ambassadors to US’

Later, Rosli read out a declaration calling on Israel to stop bombing Gaza, Washington to stop aiding Tel Aviv, and withdraw American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The declaration also called on the Malaysia and all other Third World nations to immediately recall their ambassadors to US to protest Washington’s support of Tel Aviv.

The coalition also demanded the Malaysian government immediately end its negotiation with the US government on the Free Trade Agreement.

Speaking at the vigil, a Palestinian student from the Universiti Sains Malaysia Ismael Abu Jarad, 30, revealed that most of his countrymen have lost faith in the Arab governments in the Gulf in resolving the long-running Palestinian issue.

“I am ashamed to be called as an Arab. But I am proud to be called a Palestinian,” said Ismael, who has lost several family members, relatives and friends in the Gaza Strip fighting.

Inconsistent anti-war stance

Gunabalan, meanwhile chided the Malaysian government for its inconsistent anti-war stance, pointing that the Putrajaya administration had been lukewarm in condemning the Colombo government for the killings of Tamils in the Jaffna Peninsula.

“The Malaysian government should take a firm and consistent stand on all wars and armed conflicts,” he told Malaysiakini.

Chong Eng said she would raise the Sri Lankan conflict, provided she gets a chance to speak, during the special Parliamentary session on the Gaza war today.

“Like Palestine, the Sri Lankan government is committing a crime against humanity,” she told Malaysiakini.

The crowd dispersed peacefully without any incidents.

Meanwhile, 21 people arrested for illegal assembly during an anti-war vigil at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night were released the same night after statements were taken from them.