Tun M wearing Bersih T-shirt unbecoming of a statesman - Nur Jazlan

The act of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wearing a Bersih T-shirt to promote an illegal gathering is unbecoming of a statesman, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

He said the act contradicted the former prime minister's principle relating to illegal street demonstrations.

"When supporters of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (after Anwar was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister) held demonstrations in 1998, he (Dr Mahathir) used the ISA (Internal Security Act) to block street demonstrations," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Dr Mahathir appeared in a video clad in the t-shirt when promoting the illegal rally, planned for this Saturday here, on social media yesterday.

Nur Jazlan also called upon media practitioners to stop sensationalising the Bersih and Red Shirts movement.

"Because of your constant attention on this matter, they get coverage...if you stop highlighting and sensationalising them, there will be less interest in their demonstrations," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid today reiterated that legal action would be taken against the organisers of the Bersih rally and the Red Shirts group's counter rally if they went ahead (this Saturday). -- BERNAMA