Malaysians demonstrate at PH embassy in KL

MANILA, Philippines—Malaysian activists held rallies in front of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and Friday but the diplomatic mission’s operations remained normal because the demonstrations were peaceful, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.

“The Philippine Embassy remains open, and its personnel committed to their work, in light of peaceful and orderly rallies that were held in front of the embassy in relation to the incidents in Lahad Datu and other places,” the DFA said.

On the afternoon of March 7, a 40-member group from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)-Youth held a brief rally in front of the embassy, where they also handed in a letter of protest.

The organizers stated that the gathering was not a protest against the Philippine government, but against Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in his personal capacity, whose extradition to Malaysia they sought.

On Friday morning, representatives from nongovernmental organizations Ikatan Rakyat Muslim Malaysia, Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia and Malaysian Muslim Economy and Social Chamber, numbering around 20, also demonstrated in front of embassy, and also handed over a letter of protest.

In the afternoon, at an event called Ops Bunga (Operation Flower), a number of Malaysians deposited flowers in front of the embassy gate as a gesture of peace.

“Its organizers stated that the event is aimed in showing that Malaysia is a peaceful nation, and they hope that both countries ‘will do their utmost best to do the best for the people and the relations of both our countries,’” the DFA said.

The DFA said the embassy has put in place added security measures for the safety of its personnel and their families, its property and embassy clients and visitors. The embassy also thanked the Kuala Lumpur policemen stationed in the embassy’s immediate vicinity in ensuring the safety of the compound, as well as of those who participated in the rallies

Philippine ambassador Eduardo Malaya and other top embassy officials were in Sabah in the past few days to monitor the Sabah conflict and attend to the needs of Filipinos there.

“We have a job to do, particularly to extend humanitarian assistance to those who have been displaced or otherwise adversely affected by the incident, and to ensure humane treatment to those who have been wounded and captured,” the DFA quoted Malaya as saying.

“The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy are working doubly hard and are focused on these tasks,” the envoy added.

Teams from the embassy, with augmentation from the DFA and other government agencies, are in the Lahad Datu and Semporna/Tawau areas on a humanitarian and consular mission for the affected Filipinos there.

In New York, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon met with Malaysia’s permanent representative, Hussein Hanniff, to discuss recent developments in the Sabah conflict.

“The Secretary-General noted the efforts that were made by the governments of Malaysia and Philippines to find a peaceful resolution to the situation. He reiterated his hope that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible, and that efforts will continue to be made to ensure respect for human rights and to avoid further loss of life,” Ban’s office’s said in a statement posted on the UN website.