Youths pelt Opposition talk attendees with eggs and stones

(The Star) – An Opposition high tea programme in Merlimau turned ugly when hundreds of youths turned up and pelted those attending the function with eggs and stones.

The youths also surrounded and damaged the vehicles of at least two people, one of which belonged to a DAP assemblyman.

The youths had gathered there after hearing that Bersih co-chairman Datuk S. Ambiga was invited to give a speech at the ceramah which was supposed to begin at 5pm yesterday. However, she did not turn up.

The youths, all clad in red T-shirts, hurled abuses at several local community leaders who came for the function held at a field here.

The group shouted Bersih Bodoh (Bersih is stupid) and Halau (Drive them out).

About 20 riot policemen arrived to cordon off the area and provided a safe route to those attending the ceramah, while other policemen helped to separate the group and the crowd.

However, when the ceramah ended at 7pm, the crowd began to attack several cars.

DAP state assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew said his car was ambushed by the boisterous group while he was driving out to the main road.

Both my side mirrors were broken and my car was hit with eggs and stones, he said after lodging a report at the Merlimau police station last night.

Another victim Lui Poh Siong, 42, said the drivers side window and left rear window of his car were smashed.

The ceramah was attended by some 300 community members, who arrived using alternative and village roads.

A police officer later confirmed that Ambiga had not turned up at the event, which was attended by PKR Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin.