Hisham: People need space to protest against Israel's cruelty

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said the public should be given the opportunity to express their sadness, protest and state their stand on the atrocities of the Zionist regime on the Palestinians in Gaza.

He said this would prevent them from doing things that exceeded the limit and which could be interpreted as violent or part of a militant group.

"If there is no room to state one's stand, it is possible that more violent actions will take place and militant groups can take worse action because there is no room to express what has been suppressed," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the 1KDN Peace Wave and Gaza Relief Fund here today. Also present was Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Hishammuddin said the ministry's Youth Squad assembly today, participated by the ministry's leaders, was an effort to create a wave of universal peace and condemn violence by Israel.

He said the global peace wave should be instilled within the squad made up on volunteers under the ministry's agencies because youths needed to be taught positive values for harmony, wellbeing and peace.

He said Deputy Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong would lead the efforts for the global peace wave among squad members through various programmes, while Datuk

Wira Abu Seman Yusop would lead the fund collection drive at the ministry-level for the Gaza Relief Fund.

Hishammuddin said although it was only launched today, the fund had obtained intial collections of RM126,000 and ministry employees could make financial donations to ease the sufferings of the Gaza residents.

He said the donations would then be handed to the Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) launched by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin, who is also Umno Vice-President, did not dismiss the possibility that the Israel issue would be among those debated at the 66th Umno General Assembly next week.

"I believe our spokespersons from the movements, state and main party cannot avoid bringing this up. It is something that is close to our hearts," he added.