Cancel Sept 16 rally promoting narrow-minded politics, unity minister pleads with organiser
(Malay Mail Online) – Right after authorities gave their approval for a controversial rally for Malaysia Day, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup urged the Malay martial arts group organising it to rethink the street demonstration as it may cause fear amongst the people.
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of national unity and integration also said Malaysians should fight against any action or assembly that does not bring the people together, especially those that can provoke racial tension.
“I am urging the organisers of the Sept 16 rally to cancel their intention to assembly on the date to ensure the country’s harmony is not affected.
“This challenge between one group to another by way of assemblies is irresponsible and the practice of narrow-minded politics,” said Kurup in a statement.
He said all parties should avoid demonstrating their dissatisfaction in public for the benefit of all, so that the people do not live in fear, which will in turn damage national unity and solidarity.
Kurup also said that September 16 ought to be celebrated and respected as historically significant because it was the date that Malaysia was formed.
“Let’s not move backwards by doing any damage to the nation’s solidarity. We should be more matured and show mutual respect to protect the peacefulness of our country,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) today approved the Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (Pesaka) bid to use Padang Merbok as the venue for its September 16 rally for its gathering, which it is now calling the “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” instead of the “Himpunan Maruah Melayu” (Malay Dignity Rally).
Pesaka’s president, Tan Sri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam has insisted that Pesaka’s intentions were peaceful despite concerns over its racial overtones.
But businesses in the city’s highly-trafficked commercial district have voiced their jitters over the rally.
With two days to go till the rally day, some 500 shopkeepers and 773 traders under the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association have announced their closure on the day for safety reasons.
