Rally an attempt to topple government, says PM

The gathering organised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and supported by the opposition parties near the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday was an attempt to topple the government which was elected by the people through a democratic system, said Najib Abdul Razak.

The prime minister said the rally showed that the groups involved did not respect the government which was elected by the people through a valid process.

“They had the intention to take over Dataran Merdeka, not to gather for two or three hours but for two or three days or even longer, to show that the government cannot control the situation.

“They wanted to make Dataran Merdeka like the Tahrir Square in Egypt,” he said when launching the Kelantan State 1Malaysia Community Carnival at the Civic Centre Hall in Gua Musang today.

The prime minister, who is on a one-day working visit to Kelantan, was addressing more than 30,000 people who had started to wait for his arrival since 7am at the Civic Centre hall.    

Among those attending the event were Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Finance Minister Dr Awang Adek Hussin and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

The prime minister said the government would not compromise with the group in their attempt to bring down the government which was legally chosen by the rakyat.

He said during their attempt to win over Dataran Merdeka, the group had injured a policeman and media personnel, as well as destroyed public property.

The prime minister said the rioters also blamed the police for allegedly instigating chaos at the rally.

'Let's compete through votes'

Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairperson, challenged the group to compete in the election.

“If they are man enough, let's compete through votes in the election,” he added.

“I don’t deny there may have been some police brutality, but it could have been avoided if rally participants obeyed the law approved by Parliament,” he said.

The prime minister said the government had offered a suitable location for them to demonstrate peacefully, including the Merdeka Stadium, but they had declined.

“They rejected the Merdeka Stadium because of their intention, should the country be in harmony and everything is fine, they cannot rule Putrajaya,” he said.

Meanwhile, Najib was proud of the public including residents of Gua Musang, who turned out in large numbers at the Civic Centre field, for a peaceful demonstration without creating pandemonium.

“I salute the people of Gua Musang, we can tell those who rallied near Dataran Merdeka that Gua Musang residents are more civilised than them. 

“They (Gua Musang residents) portray a community that respects the law and its principles for order in the world,” he said.

'They didn't keep their promise'

At a news conference after the event, Najib said there were efforts online by certain quarters to show the police using excessive force and the government would clarify the matter to the public.

“First of all, they didn’t keep their promise. Initially the government also wanted to avoid untoward incidents, that’s why they were offered the Merdeka Stadium.

“They wanted a fight and when it happened they highlighted police brutality and the government as not being considerate... it is made political. That is why they rejected the Merdeka Stadium... despite them wanting that very venue in the earlier rally,” he said.

He said rally participants were made up of two groups, of which the first wanted a peaceful demonstration while the second wanted to hijack the event for political purposes and planned to win over Dataran Merdeka until Labour Day.

“Rational individuals would know the effect it would have and not support the demonstration. They know that things can be difficult to control at such events... some people will not respect the law and act like gangsters,” he added.

The prime minister said the government had no problem in allowing peaceful rallies to take place, including those by opposition parties and non-government supporters, but it must be based on existing laws.

“Actions must be based on our country’s laws. Our laws approve of peaceful assembly... as long as it meets the stated requirements,” he said.

- Bernama