Illegal rally an undemocratic act, says Tun Dr Mahathir

The illegal rally and the protesters who gate-crashed into the new year celebration on Tuesday night, has been described as undemocratic by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the rally goers were a minority group who simply wanted to create problems to those who stayed away from it.

Speaking at the People's Progressive Party (PPP) New Year open house on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir questioned the kind of democracy the rally goers wanted as their action had caused the majority unable to celebrate in ushering in the new year.

"As a democratic country, the minority too has rights. But they don't have the right to spoil the life of the majority who wants to celebrate the new year celebration, they can't celebrate new year, what democracy is that," he was quoted by Bernama at the open house held in Putra World Trade Centre.

He added that the rally held at the wrong time and place had deprived the majority’s human rights.

"You want to do it, do it somewhere else, but don't go and disturb other people...the minority has rights but don't do it at the expense of the majority," he was quoted.

A call by Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (TURUN), Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), Jingga 13 and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) saw thousands of people who gathered at the Dataran Merdeka on new year eve to protest against the rising cost of living.

Despite the police barricade, the protesters wearing black, had pushed their way into the square where the live performances were being held, shouting anti-government slogans.

After seeing the disruption, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) decided to call off the celebrations.