BUKIT JALIL, Oct. 9 -- Cheers erupted in the Axiata Arena, the venue for the "Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza" rally here last night the moment Farah Lee took to the stage.

Farah, whose real name is Nurfarahin Romli, was one of the 23 Malaysian volunteers who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission to provide critical aid to wartorn Palestine and had been detained by Israeli forces - and they all had a story to tell.

"This mission is not about us, it's about Gaza, about tearing down the blockade, about countries uniting to end the genocide," she told the crowd, adding that she felt shy being celebrated while some Malaysians remain in Israeli detention.

"I decided to come here tonight to celebrate with all of you. Without ...