EC: No demos post-election to avoid repeat of May 13
Published: Jan 29, 2013 12:09 PM | Updated: Jan 30, 2013 11:19 AM
Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof wants all political parties not to celebrate or protest through street demonstrations after the 13th general election results are announced to prevent a repeat of the racial clash on May 13, 1969.
Abdul Aziz advises all political parties to abide by the election rules and work together, no matter which party wins in the next GE.
Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof wants all political parties not to celebrate or protest through street demonstrations after the 13th general election results are announced to prevent a repeat of the racial clash on May 13, 1969.
In an exclusive interview with Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily published today, Abdul Aziz (right) said that the EC has learnt its lesson from the May 13 tragedy, and has come out with a regulation to ban either street celebrations, or protests after the election results are announced.
"When one side goes to the streets, the other side will also go to the streets. You could gather 500,000 people, the other side could also gather 500,000, and curfew will be called. There will be many injuries and casualties before that (curfew)," Abdul Aziz is quoted as saying.
He therefore advised all political parties to abide by the election rules and work together to ensure stability and peace, no matter which party wins in the next general election.
On the recent controversy over the use of the term 'Allah' and the alleged threats of burning the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, Abdul Aziz reminded both ruling parties and the opposition not to manipulate racial and religious issues during the election.
"Religion is something close to the hearts of the people. There are people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for religion."
He also called on both future winners and losers to accept the choice of the voters, and not to blame the EC.
"Five state governments were changed in the 2008 general election, proving that the EC is independent. To blame the EC over the electoral results is refusing to admit your own weaknesses," Abdul Aziz said, stressing that the commission had no power to control the electoral results.
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In an exclusive interview with Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily published today, Abdul Aziz (right) said that the EC has learnt its lesson from the May 13 tragedy, and has come out with a regulation to ban either street celebrations, or protests after the election results are announced."When one side goes to the streets, the other side will also go to the streets. You could gather 500,000 people, the other side could also gather 500,000, and curfew will be called. There will be many injuries and casualties before that (curfew)," Abdul Aziz is quoted as saying.
He therefore advised all political parties to abide by the election rules and work together to ensure stability and peace, no matter which party wins in the next general election.
On the recent controversy over the use of the term 'Allah' and the alleged threats of burning the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, Abdul Aziz reminded both ruling parties and the opposition not to manipulate racial and religious issues during the election.
"Religion is something close to the hearts of the people. There are people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for religion."
He also called on both future winners and losers to accept the choice of the voters, and not to blame the EC.
"Five state governments were changed in the 2008 general election, proving that the EC is independent. To blame the EC over the electoral results is refusing to admit your own weaknesses," Abdul Aziz said, stressing that the commission had no power to control the electoral results.
Related stories
Overseas M'sians: Use postal votes to remove phantoms
Zambry denies only two state seats for MIC in GE13
Punggol East underscores need for drastic reforms
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