Kuala Lumpur, 18 March 2007

All over the world, the global resistance against the US has intensified. Where ever George Bush goes, he is received by huge protests. There seems to be a global revolt against the US. A few days ago, 100,000 marched in UK asking the Government to pull back the troops. In US, Bush is isolated as his Republican party lost both the houses. In Malaysia, there has been a huge opposition against the FTA in spite of the Government trying to secure and please the US. Public poll in Utusan Malaysia and TV 2 have indicated that large numbers of Malaysian have rejected the FTA.

This year, there was a much bigger crowd to demonstrate against the US occupation in Iraq and calling for the FTA talks be stopped at all cost. The massive presence of police force failed to scare the crowd whom made from various background.

The demonstration which lasted 2 hours in front of the US embassy. 500-strong anti-war protestors gathered outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today to demonstrate against US imperialism. The protesters from different background come together today to put up their strongest voice against the continuing US occupation of Iraq and the propose Free Trade Agreement between Malaysia and US. The protest was held in conjunction with 4 year anniversary of US aggression and occupation of Iraq.

The US Embassy in Kula Lumpur was heavily guarded by fully armed police. The protestors converged across the road at around 10 am, and started to shake the road in front of US Embassy for 2 hours with chants like “Out out USA!”, “Stop stop FTA!”, “Bush Get Out!” and “George Bush Terrorist!” People from children to senior citizens, men an women, come with colorful placards and banners, demonstrating their opposition against US imperialism and call for immediate withdrawal of US army from Iraq, and stop FTA negotiation between Malaysia and US.

The rally was organized by Malaysian Anti-War Coalition. During the rally, there were performances by different groups like Positive Malaysian Treatment Access & Advocacy Group (MTAAG+), Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) and a group of young people from Food not Bombs, DEMA and JKMI. The creative “fashion show” put up by children of ISA detainees was the limelight of the day. The GMI and human rights NGO, Suaram, has made call for close down of Guantanamo Bay as well as the Kamunting Detention Camp, which both allow dentention without trial.

Dr. Ronald McCoy, the former President of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War, was the special guess speaker of the rally. Other speakers included K. Simon from Oppressed People Network (JERIT), Dr. Zulkifli from Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), Dr, Xavier Jayakumar from People’s Justice Party (PKR), Syed Sharir from Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC), Chang Lih Kang from Suaram, Dr Kua Kia Soong and few others. The speakers generally condemned the continuation of US occupation of Iraq, and call for withdrawal of US army from Iraq to put an end to 4-year miseries of Iraqi people. They also condemn the Bush plan to attack Iran.

S. Arulchelvan, Secretay-General of Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), spoke on behalf of the rally organizer, Malaysian Anti-War Coalition. Arulchelvan insisted that the protest around the world will not stop as long as US army still present in Iraq and Afghanistan. He continued to say that we need to stop US from colonizing our economy through the backdoor by using unequal agreement like FTA. Arulchelvan also declared that the protest of people in Malaysia has made a success as the current FTA negotiation comes to a deadlock.

The rally today ended with reading of declaration which led by a group of young people. The declaration, endorsed by 31 organizations, has demanded:

1. The immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US forces from Iraq;

2. For the US to scrap its plan to attack Iran and guarantee Iran’s security;

3. The shutting down of all US overseas military bases;

4. That the US and its allies be held accountable for crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression and be prosecuted under international law;

5. For all countries especially major imperialist powers to reduce their arms;

6. The cessation of negotiation of the FTA between Malaysia and the US.

This was another successful rally to put forward the voices of people against imperialism and neo-liberalism. Though the police threatened to shoot water cannon towards the end of the rally, but the people never back off.

Four year of occupation of Iraq by the US has caused the people of Iraq to live in miseries and sufferings.

Over 650,000 people have died as the outcome of US occupation in
Iraq. Four years is definitely enough!

We need to keep mobilizing to resist the imperial domination. Only through an organized working class and grassroots movement, we are able to challenge and even to defeat the imperialism.

Photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67633376@N00/sets/72157600000738668/

— 
International Bureau

Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

Address:

No.22A, Lorong Vivekananda, 50470 Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

Tel: +60-3-22747791, (mobile) +60-19-5669518

Fax: +60-3-87374772

email: (headquarters) psmhq tm.net.my
(international bureau) int.psm gmail.com

visit our website at:
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