Large-scale anti-US demonstrations have broken out in Malaysia.

Malaysians in Support of Palestine Demonstrate Outside US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for Second Consecutive Day Amid Heavy Rain

On Friday (October 3), Malaysians who support Palestine braved heavy rain to demonstrate outside the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for the second consecutive day. They demanded that the US pressure Israel to release the members of the "Global Sumud Flotilla" detained by the Israeli military, among whom 23 are Malaysian citizens. (AFP)

(Kuala Lumpur Comprehensive News) Israel intercepted the "Global Sumud Flotilla" that was transporting aid supplies to Gaza. The detained crew members include 23 Malaysian international human rights activists and volunteers. This move has aroused strong anti-US sentiments in Malaysia. Thousands of people have demonstrated outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for two consecutive days, chanting slogans urging the US to pressure Israel into releasing the detainees.

During the first day of the protest on Thursday (October 2), demonstrators confronted the police, triggering minor clashes. As a result, one police officer was injured and two demonstrators were arrested. The next day, demonstrators gathered again outside the US Embassy, attempting to break through the police cordon and throwing eggs at the embassy. The scene was chaotic for a while, but fortunately, the on-duty police quickly brought the situation under control, preventing the occurrence of a serious conflict.

The demonstration was jointly initiated by multiple organizations, with participants including leaders of political parties such as the People's Justice Party. Demonstrators condemned Israel and called on the US to pressure Israel to release the members of the "Global Sumud Flotilla".

Kamil, Head of the Youth Wing of the People's Justice Party, on behalf of the demonstrators, tried to submit a memorandum to the US Embassy on the first day of the demonstration, but the embassy refused to accept it on the grounds of security. Therefore, the demonstrators returned to protest outside the embassy again on Friday (October 3). In the end, Kamil and one representative were allowed to enter the embassy to submit the memorandum.

Malaysia is the rotating chair of ASEAN this year. US President Trump has been invited to attend the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in late October. Prior to this, multiple pro-Palestine groups in Malaysia had held demonstrations, demanding that the government cancel the invitation to Trump to protest against the US supporting Israel in the Middle East situation. After the detention of the "Global Sumud Flotilla", the anti-US sentiments of pro-Palestine figures have become even more intense.

Malaysia's King, Prime Minister and Police Chief Meet to Discuss Rescuing Malaysian Citizens Detained by Israeli Military

The detention of 23 Malaysian volunteers by the Israeli military has attracted great attention from the Malaysian authorities. On Friday, King Sultan Ibrahim received Prime Minister Anwar and Police Chief Mohamad Khalid at the National Palace to listen to a briefing on the government's work to rescue the volunteers.

(Photo: Taken from Sultan Ibrahim's Facebook page) Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim (center) receives Prime Minister Anwar (right) and Police Chief Mohamad Khalid at the National Palace on Friday (October 3) to be updated on the government's progress in rescuing the detained Malaysian volunteers.

Sultan Ibrahim posted on Facebook, emphasizing that the detention of the "Global Sumud Flotilla" while it was on a mission to transport food violates universal humanitarian values.

Anwar also posted on Facebook, stating that he had a phone call with Ahmad Sani, Director of the Sumud Nusantara Command Center, on Friday morning to learn about the progress in rescuing the Malaysian volunteers.

Sumud Nusantara is a humanitarian alliance composed of volunteers from Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It joined the "Global Sumud Flotilla" to transport food to the people of Gaza.

After attending a public event on Friday, Anwar said that the government is actively coordinating through multiple diplomatic channels to ensure that the detained Malaysian citizens are released as soon as possible and return home safely. "The government has conveyed Malaysia's stance through Qatar and Turkey. I personally called Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed to stay updated on the latest situation."

"I also asked Turkish President Erdogan for help to arrange for a special plane to take the Turkish citizens back from Israel and bring the Malaysian volunteers to Istanbul at the same time. We will then make arrangements for their return to Malaysia."

Anwar also contacted US Secretary of State Rubio and US Middle East Envoy Wittkopf to coordinate relevant arrangements.

The "Global Sumud Flotilla" is composed of volunteers from 57 countries. It began transporting relief supplies to Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea in late August. However, in recent days, more than 40 of its ships have been intercepted by the Israeli military, and over 400 people have been detained.

(Photo: Bernama) Ahmad Sani, Director of the Sumud Nusantara Command Center, held a press conference on Thursday (October 2) to brief on the situation of the "Global Sumud Flotilla".