Umno AGM: Alvin Tan, Hisham Rais “make appearance”

(The Star) – Several controversial activists “made their appearance” on screen at the Umno general assembly as the party tried to highlight certain forces out to destabilise the country.

A video footage showing personalities like social activist Hishammudin Rais (pic) rambling about hasut (incite), sex blogger Alvin Tan and his “bak kut teh” greetings and seditious blog messages were shown on the huge screen just before president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak declared that the Sedition Act 1948 would not be abolished but strengthened.

The footage also showed Bersih 2.0 co-chair Datuk S Ambiga, student activist Adam Adli, scenes of the Bersih 3.0 protests, including people attacking a police car.

The prime minister picked a quote from Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph over evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Najib said: “This means, even though we are on the right path but if we do not do anything, the enemies will be king. Moreover, these si kitol-si kitol (trouble markers) will be the king.”

He said Umno should not be apologetic and should continue its struggle in upholding the struggle of the Malays despite accusations that the party was backwards and no longer relevant.

“They shouldn’t feel ashamed about this party. In reality, this is the place where many historic events are taking place.

“This is the place where UiTM is strengthened, this is the place where the future of the civil servants is protected, this is the place where the Royalty is given honour and this is the place where Islam is given priority,” he said.