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Malaysia
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Malaysia draws fire for hosting Israel’s weapons suppliers at defence expo

  • Pro-Palestinian groups oppose the presence of Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, which have provided arms to Israel, at the Kuala Lumpur expo
  • Their involvement in the government-backed event has called into question PM Anwar Ibrahim’s vocal opposition of Israel and stance on the Gaza war

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Malaysian hold a ‘Free Palestine’ rally outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur last year. Protesters are expected to gather at the VIP entrance of the Defence Service Asia expo in Malaysia’s capital on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Joseph Sipalan
Pro-Palestinian groups protested outside a defence trade fair in Kuala Lumpur that has the backing of the Malaysian government over the presence of global arms manufacturers that supply guns and jets used by Israel.
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Local media reported about a dozen protesters gathered at a road leading to the Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2024 expo in the capital on Tuesday, holding up banners calling for an end to the “US-funded genocide” in Gaza and to say “no to murderous arms dealers”.

The protesters were demanding the removal of US arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin and Britain’s BAE Systems as major sponsors and participants at the event, which is held every two years.
Lockheed arms Israel with F-35 stealth fighters, paid for with the US$3 billion of military aid Washington provides its core Middle East ally every year. The jet’s avionics systems are partially-built by BAE in Britain.
A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet in Berlin. Israel pays for the F-35 stealth fighters it buys from Lockheed with the military aid it receives from Washington. Photo: AFP
A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet in Berlin. Israel pays for the F-35 stealth fighters it buys from Lockheed with the military aid it receives from Washington. Photo: AFP
The Israel-Gaza war has triggered an outcry in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where a boycott movement has caused sharp losses for once-favoured US companies – from McDonald’s and KFC to Starbucks, all of which have been accused of supporting Israel in the midst of its war, now in its seventh month.
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