Racial sentiments mar 'Red Shirt' rally - Bersih 2.0

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) today slammed certain quarters which had misused the right to assembly to launch racial attacks on Malaysians.

It also urged authorities to take action on those who played up racial sentiments and made violent threats.

In a media statement released Wednesday, Bersih 2.0 committee members stressed that all levels of society have the right to voice out their opinions but it must be done in a peaceful manner without any violent threats and racist remarks.

“This was clearly carried out during the rally today in a bid to sow distrust among citizens while spreading sentiments that “Malaysia belonged to Malays”.

“The slogan is an insult to Malaysia Day and the spirit of unity among Malaysians after nearly 60 years of achieving independence,” said the statement.

Bersih 2.0 also said the rally had been marred by racial sentiments which were shallow and extreme in nature.

“This tactic of misdirection is often being used to divert public attention from what is really going on. They try to hide incidents of violence by painting a pretty picture of what is happening,” said the statement.

Bersih 2.0 also described Malaysia Day as a symbol of unity among the people who live in harmony and prosperity, but this was marred by the violence that broke out today.

It also urged all Malaysians to reject racial sentiments, be kind to your neighbours and practice mutual respect as Malaysia is collectively ours.

While the rally went on smoothly at Padang Merbok, Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel were forced to take action by releasing water cannons on the rally participants at Petaling Street allegedly after continued provocation.

The incident broke out at around 4.40pm as participants refused to budge from the area, which also saw a person being injured to the head after being hit by a hard object, believed to be a rock.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said police should investigate the matter.

Stating that it should not have happened, Najib said everyone must abide by instructions from the authorities.

Najib, however, noted that the event at Padang Merbok here, took place peacefully.

The ruckus that broke out at Petaling Street had marred an otherwise peaceful ‘Red Shirt’ rally on Wednesday.

At least two people were detained by police following the incident and they will be investigated under Section 143 of the Penal Code, City police chief Datuk Tajudin Md Isa said in a statement.

He said two police personnel were injured while carrying out their duties.