Bersih T-shirts set ablaze in protest

(NST) – A group of non-governmental organisation members here expressed their anger against the Bersih 3.0 gathering in Kuala Lumpur last month by torching a box filled with Bersih T-shirts.

The gathering, after the Friday prayers here, saw some 10 Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) members protesting against Bersih, which they alleged was creating social unrest.

State Perkasa Youth chief Risuad Azuddin claimed he found the box placed outside his office on Monday night.

Upon opening it, he saw 10 yellow Bersih T-shirts and a two-page letter from an unidentified person requesting Perkasa to burn the T-shirts in public to express his disappointment with the movement.

“I believe the person (the writer) is a Pakatan Rakyat member. The writer claimed he was promised money by Bersih to take part in the rally but did not receive anything in return.”

Just as Risuad set fire to the box, another group, identifying themselves as Jingga 13, confronted the Perkasa members, urging them to disperse and stop their unruly behaviour.

A war of words ensued between both parties with Risuad trading verbal abuses with the group’s leader, Mohammad Ikhwan Nasser.

The two groups later dispersed after further verbal exchanges.