Silat exponents threaten to ‘wage war’ on Bersih activists
(The Malaysian Insider) – More than 50,000 Silat exponents are prepared to “wage war” with Bersih activists next Saturday, Utusan Malaysia reported today.
The Mahaguru (grandmaster) of the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM) Tan Sri Omardin Mauju was quoted as saying that the exponents were the third line of defence in the country, after the police and military, to ensure national security.
“We maintain our stand to go to ‘war’ if they still want to proceed with this illegal rally,” he was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying.
“If it happens, I cannot guarantee I can control the emotions of my members because they have been taught to act when faced with opposition.”
The July 9 rally by Bersih 2.0 is making eight demands of the Election Commission (EC), including the call for free and fair elections. The government insists that elections are already free and fair, pointing to the opposition’s gains in Election 2008.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) hopes the demonstration will generate momentum ahead of a general election expected within the year.
The first Bersih rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur before they were dispersed by police armed with tear gas and water cannons.
The demonstration has been partly credited for Pakatan Rakyat’s record gains in Election 2008, where the opposition pact swept to power in five states and won 82 parliamentary seats.
PKR has accused the police of dancing to the tune of Utusan Malaysia and Umno leaders in their investigations into the July 9 Bersih rally.
