KUALA LUMPUR: Tensions flared during a peace demonstration organised by the pro-Palestine group, Gegar Amerika, near the United States Embassy today, as one of its organisers was temporarily detained.
Gegar Amerika's organiser, Harmit Singh was stopped by the police and subsequently detained for around an hour for allegedly approaching too close to the entrance of the US embassy.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general, Sivarajan Arumugam, expressed disappointment over the incident, claiming it is unfair for authorities to take such actions.
"Police have been notified (on the demonstration), we had a meeting with police, and everyone will follow the rules.
But when he approached the embassy, he was stopped because police claimed that protests had been held farther from the embassy all this while.
"It is not fair, we already told you that we are going to send the memorandum today. I was on the other side of the road and saw him arrested. He was then stopped from walking towards the embassy and detained," he told reporters briefly at the demonstration today.
The 28-year-old organiser, who was apprehended earlier, was released shortly after three representatives from the group handed over a memorandum to the embassy.
The memorandum contained three demands, notably including an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
PSM deputy chairman, S. Arutchelvan, said the temporary detainment of the march's organiser is uncalled for.
"I think this is uncalled for, we already informed the police and the embassy that we will submit the memorandum.
(Even) the embassy never told us not to come. As Malaysians, we have to state our protest on the Palestinian issue."
Approximately 60 participants were present during the demonstration, displaying placards with slogans such as "Stop the US-funded genocide," and chanting "Free Palestine."
The protest commenced with participants waving Palestinian flags and walking near the embassy under tight police controls.
In addition to the call for a ceasefire, the group demanded an end to US weapon sales to Israel and urged for an end to Israeli impunity.