ID :
188955
Thu, 06/16/2011 - 10:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/188955
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DEMONSTRATION CULTURE UNACCEPTABLE IN MALAYSIA
KOTA BELUD (Bernama) - The threat by Bersih, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, to go ahead with a planned public rally on July 9 in the Federal capital despite the police's decision not to issue a permit does not augur well for this peaceful country which practises parliamentary democracy, said East Malaysia state of Sabah Umno deputy liaison
chief Salleh Said Keruak.
"Public rallies or mass demonstration is not our culture. We have enough avenues to air our grievances including through the process of law and everyone including Bersih should respect that," he told Bernama after launching the youth "Juara Rakyat" programme, here Thursday.
He said this was because the rally would probably lead to a host of
problems, including traffic jams, damaging of public property and affect businesses.
"Any kind of rally or demonstration culture (on the streets) is not
acceptable in this country. The gathering will not only cause traffic chaos but also disturb the peace. Law abiding people do not want this to happen in our country.
"If Bersih really wants to practise its democratic rights through public rally or demonstration...they can hold the rally in a stadium or a covered hall and not on the streets," he said.
Describing the planned public rally as politically motivated in a bid to drum up support for the opposition ahead of the coming general election, Salleh said: "Let the people decide their choice of government through the ballot box".
"The fact that opposition candidates won the seats in the last general elections proves that the election process in this country is conducted fairly," he said.
It was previously reported in the national papers that opposition party PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia), which sits in the Bersih committee, will mobilise 100,000 members and supporters to take part in the Bersih 2.0 rally, dubbed "Walk for democracy", which will be held at a yet undisclosed location in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.
On Tuesday, Malay rights group Perkasa and 30 Malay-based non-governmental organisations announced plans to organise a rally to oppose the Bersih rally.
"It’s certainly will be a very challenging day, policing-wise,” Salleh said if two opposing rallies were to be held on the same day.
As such, the former Sabah chief minister urged the police to take
pre-emptive action to prevent untowards incident that could undermine peace and harmony in the country.
Meanwhile, Salleh also asked Sabahans not to participate in any public rally organised by Bersih, saying that they should not follow Egyptians and Tunisians to oust their leaders through street demonstrations.
chief Salleh Said Keruak.
"Public rallies or mass demonstration is not our culture. We have enough avenues to air our grievances including through the process of law and everyone including Bersih should respect that," he told Bernama after launching the youth "Juara Rakyat" programme, here Thursday.
He said this was because the rally would probably lead to a host of
problems, including traffic jams, damaging of public property and affect businesses.
"Any kind of rally or demonstration culture (on the streets) is not
acceptable in this country. The gathering will not only cause traffic chaos but also disturb the peace. Law abiding people do not want this to happen in our country.
"If Bersih really wants to practise its democratic rights through public rally or demonstration...they can hold the rally in a stadium or a covered hall and not on the streets," he said.
Describing the planned public rally as politically motivated in a bid to drum up support for the opposition ahead of the coming general election, Salleh said: "Let the people decide their choice of government through the ballot box".
"The fact that opposition candidates won the seats in the last general elections proves that the election process in this country is conducted fairly," he said.
It was previously reported in the national papers that opposition party PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia), which sits in the Bersih committee, will mobilise 100,000 members and supporters to take part in the Bersih 2.0 rally, dubbed "Walk for democracy", which will be held at a yet undisclosed location in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.
On Tuesday, Malay rights group Perkasa and 30 Malay-based non-governmental organisations announced plans to organise a rally to oppose the Bersih rally.
"It’s certainly will be a very challenging day, policing-wise,” Salleh said if two opposing rallies were to be held on the same day.
As such, the former Sabah chief minister urged the police to take
pre-emptive action to prevent untowards incident that could undermine peace and harmony in the country.
Meanwhile, Salleh also asked Sabahans not to participate in any public rally organised by Bersih, saying that they should not follow Egyptians and Tunisians to oust their leaders through street demonstrations.
