Kuala Lampur, Aug. 13 -- The lobby of the boutique Chow Kit Hotel was overflowing with those invited (and gate crashers including hotel guests) from across political divides, including cabinet members, top lawyers and business leaders, as well as corporate and society figures.

All were there for one reason: to listen to the long-time humanitarian and Palestinian activist Dr Ang Swee Chai, and to learn, and to reflect on her close to five decades of dedicating her life to the cause.

Penang-born Dr Ang, 87, a staunch Christian, first saw the horrors of Israeli brutality when she volunteered to go to Lebanon during the Sabra and Shatila massacre of Palestinian men, women and child refugees in the early 1980s.

She was with the NHS in Brita...