KUALA LUMPUR – The tents set up as part of the “Kepung Demi Palestin” rally in front of the US Embassy here were taken down at 3.45am after a notice from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was issued.
DBKL’s notice issued at 3,09am cited Section 46(1)(a) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, which states it is an obstruction to erect any wall, fence, rail, post and others in a public place.
In videos shared with Scoop by a participant, former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang was seen having an argument with a few officers, saying that the authorities have no right to remove their personal belongings, including the tents.
“We have already negotiated that we will take down the tents ourselves. You have no right to touch our things,” said the former PKR vice-president, who is also Palestine Solidarity Secretariat’s spokesman.
Chua yesterday said the tents are symbolic of Palestinians who are living in refugee camps.
There were also dozens of police and DBKL officers at the scene, ensuring that the participants cleared the grassy pavement along Jalan Tun Razak here.
Meanwhile, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi was upset over DBKL’s order, saying that he is disappointed that the rally was not allowed to go on even though the participants are not blocking traffic or causing any ruckus.
“This rally is in line with the government’s stance supporting Palestine. We are not disturbing or obstructing anyone, but we are treated like criminals. We are not instigating a riot, just putting up tents as a show of solidarity with Palestine.”
Also, one of the participants told Scoop that an aide to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, attempted to negotiate with DBKL to allow the tents to remain in place but was unsuccessful.
Last night, police barred the participants from setting up any structures, including tents, outside the US Embassy here.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said this was to ensure order and security for all parties, particularly in the vicinity of foreign embassies.
“We will not tolerate any incidents that jeopardise public order, especially the security of the high commission and foreign embassies in this area.”
Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered near the US Embassy to express their opposition to the Israeli military operations in Palestine.
The six-day rally, which runs until December 31, is to oppose US support that has facilitated Israel’s continued siege of Gaza.
In Gaza, at least 20,915 people have been killed and 54,918 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7. Most of those killed are children and women.
The revised death toll from Hamas’ attack on Israel stands at 1,139.
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy the group and “stand firm against the world if necessary”.
More than 100 countries voted for a United Nations resolution for a ceasefire, while the US has repeatedly vetoed the UN Security Council resolution on the same issue. – December 27, 2023