Shabery: GE13 protest gatherings new craze for sore losers

The protest gatherings against the 13th general election results did not reflect the characteristic of democracy as these were protests against the decision made by the majority of Malaysians, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Describing these protest gatherings as crazy and the work of the frustrated for their failed objectives, he said they should be stopped.

"It's a new craze for those who cannot accept defeat. To me, it is dangerous as this is not democracy.

"Democracy is accepting the decision made by the majority of the people," he said after visiting an art exhibition titled "Celebrating Democracy" at RA Fine Arts Gallery, here, today.

He was commenting on the protest gatherings organised by the opposition in various locations including Batu Kawan (Penang), Ipoh, Kuantan and Johor Baharu since the first one held in Kelana Jaya, Selangor on May 8 against the GE13 outcome, where the majority of voters again gave Barisan Nasional (BN) the mandate.

Ahmad Shabery said if the opposition really disagreed with the GE13 results, they should use the legal channel like filing a petition with the court.

He said they should also show solid proof to support their allegations (against the Election Commission and BN).

"They claimed that 45,000 Bangladeshis were brought in as phantom voters. I too have been waiting to see the proof. At least show me 10 or 20 of these phantom voters. I want to see them," he said.

Ahmad Shabery said the people should think for themselves whether these protest gatherings were appropriate or not.

Earlier, in his speech, he said the government always encouraged and was willing to support the growth of fine art in this country in order to take it to greater heights.

The works of 20 artists are being featured at the exhibition until June 8.