No mobs please, we are Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR - The authorities must not allow dissent to descend into anarchy, says the MCA NGO Liaison Bureau.

Freedom of expression does not mean a licence to use violence or to incite others, it said, adding that Malaysians of late were guilty of doing just that.

“Street demonstrations and mob behavior are alien to the Malaysian political culture and they go against the development of a civil society,” said bureau chief Ti Lian Ker.

The way to resolve problems is by consensus building, he said in a statement.

He also said the protest last week by a group of people in Shah Alam over the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple, where a cow head was used as a symbol of their anger, was provocative and showed a total lack of respect and religious insensitivity.

Taking to the streets over the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English were among other issues that had been hijacked and used for “political blackmail” by an aggressive minority trying to bulldoze over the will and desire of the silent majority, he said.

Fair punishment

In praising the police and Attorney-General for taking action against the protesters in Shah Alam, Ti hoped the punishment would be carried out fairly.

“Justice must be done and be seen to be done.

“The public must be satisfied that there is no selective prosecution.”

Any display of violence or brutish acts must be immediately nipped in the bud,” said Ti.

The police should also take action against the culprits who had tried to intimidate Selangor Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad during a tense follow-up dialogue on the temple relocation, he said.

MM
09/09/09

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