KUALA LUMPUR: A crowd of protestors gathered outside the US embassy in solidarity with Palestine amid heavy police presence on Tuesday (Dec 26).
The crowd gathered outside the embassy around 10.45pm with the entrance in front of the embassy blocked by police.
Dozens of policemen were seen standing by in front and around the embassy, with the road leading towards its entrance being blocked off by a police truck.
“First of all, I would like to stress that we express our sympathy and support to the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, who have been oppressed by the attacks from Israel. However, we have a responsibility to ensure public safety and the safety of foreign representatives in Malaysia.
“We will not allow any incident that could jeopardize public safety and the safety of embassy and high commission premises,” Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said when met outside the US embassy here.
Former PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, representing the crowd, said that they were “picketing” outside the embassy and not protesting.
“Starting tonight activists will hold “surrounding” activities; picketing in front of the embassy. This is to remind all that the people in Gaza are being surrounded by the Israeli military,” he said.
On protestors planning to build camps near the embassy compound Comm Allaudeen said that he “urged the crowd to cooperate with the police”.
“We will look at the situation. The police urge cooperation from all, including those who plan to stay here.
“We have to be mindful of public safety, and so that traffic and vehicles are not obstructed,” he said.
The crowd is currently outside the US embassy as part of a six-day peaceful assembly dubbed “Kepung Demi Palestin”.
Various NGOs and political parties were seen, including a congregation from MCA Youth.
One of the speakers at the gathering has told those interested in setting up camp should do so at a designated area nearby.
Others were seen dispersing peacefully.
