PKR slams Zambry over youths clash, warns of polarisation
By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan
PKR leaders have slammed Umno-BN Menteri Besar Zambry Kadir for trying to hush up a gang fight between Indian and Malay youths that ended up with 16 hospitalised and two warded at the Intensive Care Unit.
They warned that the clash was symptomatic of the rising racial polarisation in the country and urged all parties to wake up to the danger that it had already spread to the country’s youth.
“Is this the way the BN chief minister looks after the welfare of the Perak people. Or is this the standard operating procedure for the BN in tackling crisis,” PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said in a statement.
The clash had occurred at a cyber-café in Kamunting on Monday night, allegedly over stolen motorcycle parts.
Wielding knives and parangs, the youths hacked at each and later even attacked on-lookers.
About 100 police had to be deployed to restore order.
Said Zuraida: “PKR Wanita urges the police to carry out investigations into the incident and how it could have happened in Perak.
“Is this the tip of the iceberg – are there more illegal activities concerning our youth that we don’t know about yet?”
Of the two in ICU, one is believed to be a 16-year old schoolboy who was slashed in the head and shoulder.
Wake-up! Racial polarisation is spreading to our youth.
Zambry has tried to downplay the matter, urging the people not to believe speculation that the fight had erupted due to racial feelings and taunting.
“Don’t believe the rumour as it is intended to cause public disorder. Do not worsen the situation by spreading it,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, police have quelled talks that people had died in the incident. They also denied that racial sentiments had sparked the fight.
“This incident has nothing to do with racial sentiments. This was about youngsters fighting, and it was contained before it could escalate,” Perak ACP Raja Musa.
Said Perak MIC chairman G Rajoo: “It was all just a misunderstanding.”
Nevertheless, according to Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang, the incident was a clear warning that the racial divide between the ethnic groups was deepening.
“Whatever it is, it could have been better handled. What can you achieve by sweeping things under the carpet?,” Lih Kang told Suara Keadilan.
“It is a fact that Malaysia is multi-racial and therefore there is bound to be tensions here and there. But we also have a situation where racial polarisation is increasing and this will continue for as long the Umno-BN keeps playing up its communal politics.
“What has also shocked us is that there is so much thuggery and violence amongst the young. Those involved in the clash were mostly kids and yet they were already using parangs and slashing each other. We really have to take this seriously and do more to engage our youth in healthier activities.”
