Voice grows louder on picture-stomping incident
(Bernama) – Various parties strongly criticised the actions of Bersih 4 participants for allegedly stepping on the photographs of Prime Minister Najib Razak and PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang at the rally held last weekend.
Describing such actions as “insolent” and “immoral”, they also urged the police to take stern action against the individuals concerned.
In a media statement on the issue, Umno Youth Information chief Jamawi Jaafar said such actions showed the lack of morals of the individuals concerned.
“This provocation can cause an uncomfortable situation because both of them represent the largest Malay and Muslim parties in Malaysia.
“Although there are differences in political beliefs, such actions cannot be accepted as they disrupt the harmony of a multi-racial community,” he said.
Jamawi urged the police to take appropriate action against those responsible to prevent such incidents from being repeated.
The extreme acts of some individuals who stepped on the photographs of the prime minister and Abdul Hadi were recorded during the rally and went viral on the social media.
Sharing similar views, MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker noted that such actions, including that of a woman carrying a placard with words inferring to the male genitals were very immature and uncouth.
“Being uncouth and insolent is not in our culture. This will not go down well with peace-loving Malaysians who value the harmony and political goodwill that have been established and enjoyed since Merdeka 58 years ago,” he said.
Ti urged the authorities to act and identify these individuals so as to find out the true intentions for their actions.
“Their extreme actions and provocations may result in retaliation and disruption of our peaceful and harmonious existence.
“Give these youngsters counselling. There are other creative ways to send the message across without needing to wish death, insult or just have one’s mind set on the groin,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, president of the Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC) Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim also urged the organisers of Bersih 4 to immediately come forward to apologise and take responsibility for the incident because as organisers, they failed to control the actions of the participants at the rally.
“Although the constitution of Malaysia provides for freedom of speech and freedom to gather, it should not be tainted with wild provocations which do not consider sensitivities and could lead to an uncomfortable atmosphere among the people,” he said.
