Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh and DAP’s RSN Rayer have strongly condemned the display of Israeli flags during a Palestine solidarity flotilla simulation on the Kelantan River, criticising the act as inappropriate and demanding swift action.
Umno Youth Chief Calls for Apology
In a Facebook post, Dr Akmal Saleh expressed outrage, stating that the Israeli flag is only fit to be “stomped on or burned” in Malaysia and should not have been flown, even as part of a simulation. He argued that hoisting a flag signifies respect for a nation, something he believes Israel does not deserve. “I urge the organisers responsible for flying the Israeli flag as an event gimmick to issue an immediate apology for their oversight,” Akmal said.
DAP Questions Opposition’s Silence
Separately, RSN Rayer, a DAP leader, questioned the silence of Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders, particularly PAS and Bersatu, on the “brazen display” of Israeli flags during the event in Kelantan. In a statement, he remarked that the opposition would likely have caused an uproar if a similar incident occurred in Penang. “Why the deafening silence? Is it because this happened in Kelantan? The authorities must act swiftly with no double standards,” Rayer urged, calling for action against those who displayed the flags.
Details of the Flotilla Event
On Friday, over 1,000 boats participated in an 8km convoy along the Kelantan River to express solidarity with Palestine. Among them, at least one boat carried Israeli flags, with participants simulating Israeli forces and “detainees” to depict the experiences of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission.
Organisers Defend Simulation
Khairul Hafiz Hassan, the event director, clarified that the display was part of a re-enactment to highlight the challenges faced by the humanitarian mission, with no intention of glorifying Israel. He noted that the over 10,000 attendees understood the context and saw no issue with the simulation. Khairul urged the public not to sensationalise the matter, emphasizing the event’s focus on raising awareness for Palestine.
