The Malaysian government Retirees Association, which has about 590,000 members nationwide, today urged organisers of the July 9 rallies to abort their plan.     

Its president, Raja Wan Mahmood Pawan Teh, said the association was concerned that the rallies could be master-minded by quarters, including from abroad, to create chaos in the country.     

"There is nothing to gained from these rallies, except give adverse effect on Malaysia's image as a peaceful and stable country," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.     

Raja Wan Mahmood said the people should not place the country's future at stake by participating in an rally that would not benefit them or the country.     

He advised public servants and members of the public against participating in the rallies and urged the organisers concerned to voice their dissatisfaction through proper channels.     

In Shah Alam, a police report was lodged by the Selangor Wanita MCA over the planned rallies on July 9.    

The report was lodged by its chairman, Senator Chew Lee Giok, who was accompanied by 30 Selangor Wanita MCA members and supporters, at the Section 15 police station at 10.12am today.    

Met by reporters later, Chew urged organisers of the rallies to abort their plan as they could create problems for the people and threaten the country's peace, stability, harmony and economy.

‘Don’t make racist statements’

 

Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur the Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia (FHAM) through its president, former MCA treasurer general Tee Hock Seng has voiced concern that the Bersih 2.0 and similar counter-rallies called by Perkasa and Umno Youth on July 9 may result in clashes and disturb the peace and stability of the country. 

He urged the organisers to find other peaceful means to put forward demands and in addressing issues since any potential clash may lead to inter-communal unrest. The highly charged atmosphere during gatherings will lead to untoward incidents which threaten public safety.  

He hopes all parties concerned will stand down from trading confrontational rhetoric and consider alternative resolves. The nation’s stability and the rakyat’s well-being should be their main priorities.

FHAM also said it strongly condemned those responsible for disseminating death threats via SMS to Bersih 2.0 chairperson and Umno Youth chief.

Saying that during a gathering held to protest the Bersih 2.0 rally, Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali’s warning to the Chinese community “to stay home stockpile food” has received strong criticisms, they urged leaders from both sides of the political divide to refrain from issuing statements that will cause racial disharmony and national instability.

“There are proper channels to champion the people’s rights such as through elected representatives in Parliament. By taking the people’s demands to the streets will only disturb public safety and tarnish the country’s image,” they said.

“We also urge the Election Commission to extend an offer to meet Bersih and other NGOs to discussion their demand for electoral reforms. Malaysia’s vision to transform through GTP, ETP can only be achieved through a transparent, just and fair election.”

- Bernama