KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is fully prepared to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil tonight.

Cheras police chief ACP Aidil Bolhassan said that six senior officers and 120 rank-and-file personnel from the Cheras district police headquarters (IPD) will be deployed under Ops Lakar Perdana for the solidarity rally in support of Gaza.

They will be supported by two senior officers and 12 personnel from external units, bringing the total manpower to 140.

Traffic and security controls will focus on the Bukit Jalil area to ensure smooth entry and exit for participants. 

Only Malaysian and Palestinian flags will be permitted inside the arena, following an agreement with the event’s Security and Traffic Committee.

“To ensure attendees’ safety, banners, placards and other related materials are prohibited within the event grounds,” Aidil added.

Authorities expect 10,000 to 12,000 people to attend the rally.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to join the rally in solidarity with Palestinians and recently returned Malaysian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission.

The flotilla, involving over 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, sought to break the Israeli blockade and deliver vital aid to Gaza.

It was intercepted in the Mediterranean’s R3 red zone and taken to the port of Ashdod, Israel. 

All 23 Malaysian activists were safely evacuated on Oct 4 with Turkish government assistance and transited through Istanbul before returning home.

Israel’s assault on Gaza began on October 7, 2023 and has killed at least 67,173 people and injured 169,780 others, including 20,179 children, over the past two years. — Bernama 

 Malay Mail – Malaysia