Rally in Malaysia against Urban Renewal Act takes on anti-Israel overtones

A rally against a Bill that will make it easier for property developers to redevelop rundown neighbourhoods took on anti-Israel overtones on Oct 4, with protesters drawing parallels between what they say is a law that allows forced land grabs in Malaysia and the situation that Palestinians face.

- Lu Wei Hoong Malaysia Correspondent

Organised by opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN), the rally saw around 4,000 people thronging the streets of the capital city to protest against the controversial Urban Renewal Act (URA), many of them wearing the black-and-white chequered keffiyeh associated with the Palestinian cause.

Protesters chanted "Reject URA" and hoisted banners saying "All eyes on Global Sumud Flotilla", calling attention to the 23 Malaysian volunteers on the fleet who were detained by Israeli forces earlier this week. They were later released on Oct 4.

In what is a common modus operandi in Malaysia - using the Gaza issue for domestic political purposes - the protesters also criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. They slammed him for inviting US President Donald Trump, viewed as a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit in late October.

They then sought to portray the Democratic Action Party (DAP) as the "Developers' Action Party", as the Bill is driven by DAP member and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

DAP is the largest party in the Pakatan Harapan-led governing coalition, which is often accused by PN supporters of being antiMalay and anti-Islam.