'Liow an Umno stooge, he has failed duty'

Health minister Liow Tiong Lai has been dubbed an “Umno stooge” who is unable to protect the safety and interests of hospitals, especially Tung Shin Hospita, and the public.

Levelling the accusation, former health minister Chua Jui Meng (right) said there is documented evidence and eyewitness reports to verify that the riot police had fired tear gas and chemical-laced water into the hospital grounds during the Bersih 2.0 rally on Saturday.

"It is international convention that hospitals and ambulances should not be attacked in times of war or peace. Hence, the police action is unacceptable and against convention," he told Malaysiakini today.

"Where is Liow and MCA's honour and integrity? The (Tung Shin staff had) admitted on Sunday (that the attack had taken place), only (for) the minister (to deny) such claims yesterday.”

Chua was attending the trial of fellow PKR leader Dr Tan Kee Kwong, who is defending a RM200 million defamation suit by Felda.

Chua, a former MCA vice- president, said Liow (left) should be looking after the health and welfare of patients and not defending Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

"You are supposed to look after the health of the people, not be Hishammuddin's sycophant and Umno's lapdog or (say that the) wrong they did is right," he said.

Chua said he was among the thousands who had witnessed the clampdown at Jalan Pudu and in front of the hospital.

He pointed out there is a maternity hospital next to Tung Shin Hospital and that the fumes from the tear gas could have caused respiratory problems to mothers and babies.

Chua told Liow do not be afraid of Umno and speak up for the rights of the people as they had gathered to demand clean and fair elections.

"I want to remind Liow that, as health minister, he should talk about the health and welfare of the people and patients and not defend the ill-will of Umno," he said.

Describing the police action as disgraceful, Chua called on Liow to tell the truth and not defend wrongdoing.

Yesterday, Liow had denied that police had fired tear gas and chemical-laced water at the hospital in a bid to disperse the Bersih 2.0 protesters.

Hishammuddin said the police will release video recordings to prove ‘the truth’ about complaints related to the rally.

Different picture in Jln Sultan

While police were on hand to fire rounds of tear gas in Jalan Pudu, Chua said it was the opposite in Jalan Sultan near Stadium Merdeka.

"There were thousands of us there and the police were aiming at the protesters. There were thousands behind us and, if the police had open fire, it may have led to disaster.

"I told the police that they are called Polis di-Raja Malaysia and they should obey the Agong not Umno. I also told them the crowd had gathered peacefully to seek the rights of citizens wanting for clean and fair elections. The police, including the FRU, decided not to fire.

"In fact, they allowed us to gather for 25 minutes and give speeches and this was good and professional of them.”

Chua said the police in Jalan Sultan should be commended for their restraint.

Calling the peaceful protest “a gathering of Malaysians”, he said the atmosphere was tremendous and a manifestation that protesters could act responsibly.

"There was no destruction of property. In fact, you could see various races - Malays, Chinese, Indians and those from Sabah and Sarawak - helping one another," he said.

This, Chua said augurs well for Malaysia and diminishes allegations by Umno, BN and the police.

"In fact, it was some of the police who acted badly, as seen and recorded in the photos and video footage," he said, adding the efforts towards electoral reform should continue.

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