Umno’s survival strategy: Fear and terror?
Malaysia Day is about celebrating racial unity in diversity but the Red Shirts protesters have turned it into a day of fear and terror.
Charles Santiago, Free Malaysia Today
This has been nothing but a charade from the very beginning. And just as I predicted, the police, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Umno have all endorsed the rally on Malaysia Day.
I firmly believe in the freedom of assembly, expression and opinion. However I do not condone a congregation of people who are hell bent on creating racial tension in the country. The Red Shirts guys are planning on doing just that.
Malaysia Day is one of the occasions in which we celebrate racial unity in diversity.
The Red Shirts protesters have, however, turned it into a day of fear and terror.
Chinese traders have expressed concerns as the rally has been styled to reflect displeasure at the Chinese, dubbed the DAP Chinese, who were allegedly arrogant enough to flood the streets during the Bersih 4 demonstrations.
The Red Shirts wallahs claim the September 16 street protest is to re-claim the dignity of the Malays, which were somehow lost because of the predominantly Chinese turnout during Bersih 4 and the calls for clean and fair elections, good governance, parliamentary democracy and the right to dissent.
Umno secretary-general and Federal Territories Minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, now claims the rally organised by the martial arts group Pesaka is not to protect the dignity of the Malays but a show of support from all Malaysians for the government.
In the recently concluded Umno Supreme Council meeting, the party said it did not condone the rally but would not stop its members from joining.
Then it was revealed that Umno members were encouraged to attend the controversial rally through an official letter from the party.
Let’s do a reality check on the impact of the planned rally: the Chinese are terrified it will create another racial riot such as during May 13, 1969 where scores of people were killed and hundreds wounded during a clash between the Malays and Chinese. Chinese traders in Petaling Street have taken a day off, fearing a riot. The Chinese are afraid to circulate text messages about the possible consequences of the rally. And they are stocking up on essential supplies, just in case.
