PRO-PALESTINE activist M. Mythreyar, who has been on a hunger strike for a week, has now taken a vow of silence to oppose Putrajaya’s plan to sell shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock. 

He was joined today by Ampang resident Aishah Ibrahim, 31, who will also be holding a silent protest on the Zionist invasion of Gaza. 

After hearing news of Mythreyar’s protest, she decided to come out and support him at Dataran Merdeka for the duration of the protest. 

Aishah, however, declined to comment further and said she was only there to support Mythreyar’s cause after hearing of his plight. 

Mythreyar said he is not backing down from his hunger strike and silent protest.  

“The reason to start this silent protest is because I have said everything I want to say about this protest. I have done all the talking. I don’t have the energy anymore,” he told The Vibes. 

The 46-year-old from Tanjung Malim, Perak, who was supposed to end his protest on Thursday, said he would continue to endure it until the end of the week.   

“The only reason I’m holding on this long is because of the moral support from the people. Those that have come from all over including Pahang and Terengganu and stayed with me for two days,” he said. 

“Doctors also have been coming here to check on my health. They told me to drink two cups of water a day if I’m going to continue. If not, I may suffer infections and collapse.” 

He added that he was not bothered with those who were “trolling him” on social media and speaking ill about his protest. 

“We need to do something. We need to inform the people. I have joined many protests even in front of the US embassy, but nothing changed.   

“So, this hunger and now silent protest is the best way to send a stern message to the government. 

“I’m not against them but pleading to the government to stop the agreement with BlackRock. My humble request to them is to say no or relook the matter.” 

On July 10, the Finance Ministry (MOF) said asset management firm BlackRock Inc was not involved in discussions carried out by members of the consortium led by Khazanah Nasional and Employees Provident Fund about the 30% minority stake in MAHB. 

Bernama reported that MOF said GIP would retain full control over the strategic direction of GIP and its investee companies. 

“Although GIP will be taken over by BlackRock later, GIP will continue to operate separately from BlackRock.  

“The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIP will also hold a 30% minority interest in MAHB. (Thus) all important decisions on MAHB will only be implemented with the agreement of consortium members,” MOF said, adding that the transaction completely excluded BlackRock. 

Mythreyar said many lawmakers, civil society groups, PAS members, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, Bersatu Youth chief chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, former Batu MP Tian Chua, and the public had come to support his cause. 

He said his boss had also allowed him to embark on this protest. 

“He (my boss) is understanding. He gave me leave if I want to continue this protest.”   

He also said the authorities had not interrupted his protest.  

“I’m always surrounded by people who have come to enquire about the protest. I sleep here and if it rains there is a Kuala Lumpur City Hall guard post next to the site where they allow me to take shelter. – July 16, 2024.