'Zionist ideology' protest: Mythreyar's hunger strike enters sixth day

KUALA LUMPUR - Social activist Mythreyar Mutturamalinggam has commenced a hunger strike in protest against a proposed investment deal involving the controversial BlackRock Inc, urging the government to reconsider bringing what he describes as "Zionist ideology" to Malaysia.

Mythreyar, whose protest has entered its sixth day, has drawn significant public and media attention.

"I will continue this hunger strike until I get good feedback from the government.

"I hope the members of parliament and the public are aware of this protest by now," he told Sinar Daily at Jalan Parlimen.

A Stand Against BlackRock

At the heart of Mythreyar's protest is BlackRock, a global investment firm he claims profits from the sale of weapons, contributing to global conflicts.

The firm, in partnership with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, is set to acquire a 30 per cent stake in Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), with the majority stake remaining with Khazanah Nasional Berhad and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

"BlackRock is a big company spreading money through selling weapons, making them one of the richest companies in the world.

"They are planning to invest in MAHB through GIP, giving them rights to do business here.

"One of the companies specialises in radar, and if Malaysia signs the agreement, our Malacca Straits, the busiest shipping lane, will eventually fall under their guidance. Our army and national secrets will be open to them," Mythreyar said.

He expressed deep concerns about the potential Zionist influence that could infiltrate Malaysia through these deals.

"GIP and BlackRock are known for providing weapons. Here we are showing our solidarity to Palestine, but bringing GIP and BlackRock poses a threat to Malaysia," he warned.

However, he stressed that his protest was not an attack on the government but a plea for reconsideration.

"I am not against the government. I am doing this hunger strike to urge the government to reconsider any deals involving or originating from Israel," he said.

Calls for Transparency

Mythreyar urged the government to release a statement to re-evaluate the deal.

"If MAHB is doing well, why do they have to hand it over to another company, especially BlackRock? As you can see, the Palestine map back then showed Israel as just a dot, but now it has taken over a significant area. I hope this should not happen to Malaysia in the future.

"The government must be transparent if they want the public to trust them. Show the type of agreement, its content, and the terms," he pleaded.

Public Support and Health Challenges

Initially, Mythreyar faced challenges finding a suitable location for his protest, eventually settling in Dataran Merdeka.

Despite health issues on the second day of his hunger strike, which required medical intervention due to low blood sugar, he remained determined, sustaining himself only on water.

"The support I've received has been overwhelming. Many who saw my videos on TikTok came to see me, especially the Malay community, as well as Indian and Chinese supporters.

"On the first day, nobody came to support me, but by the second day, news had spread, and many people, including Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and former PKR leader Tian Chua, came to stand with me," he said.

Mythreyar expressed deep gratitude for the solidarity shown, particularly highlighting the support from Malaysians across the country.

"I salute the Malays since many of them came to support me. Some from Terengganu and even Penang came to see me and give moral support. That means the path I am taking is the right one since we don't want Zionist ideology to come to Malaysia," he said.

As he enters the sixth day of his hunger strike, Mythreyar remains resolute.

"I will try my best, push myself to maintain this protest," he vowed, hoping his sacrifice will lead to reconsideration and transparency from the government regarding the controversial deal.

Last week, Deputy Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said GIP had expressed readiness to become a minority shareholder in MAHB and is prepared to relinquish its stake within a short period.

He also noted that GIP was chosen based on strict criteria, including the willingness to appoint Malaysian citizens as the chairperson and managing director of MAHB.

GIP is in the process of being acquired by BlackRock as its fully-owned subsidiary.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

GIP has said its existing leadership team will retain full control of the company and companies it has invested in after the acquisition by BlackRock is complete.

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset management company and has come under criticism for investing in companies that supply weapons to Israel.