Kit Siang to government: Let's sit and discuss racial issues

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has proposed a special meeting to be held with the government to discuss racial issues which has been on rise lately.

Lim said the issues that affect communities in the country must be addressed immediately to ensure the safety of the people and harmony in the country.

Lim also stressed that racial issues need not be raised anymore especially in the current economic and political situation in the country.

He said the first step towards that would be for the government and the Opposition to agree to never play the racial card.

"What is important is that we need to reduce racial issues. From the Opposition side, I dare to say that we are very much willing to do that in a society like ours. We will racial issues," he told reporters after visiting traders in Petaling Street today.

Commenting on the detention of the Red Shirts rally organiser Datuk Jamal Md Yunos yesterday, Lim said it was an appropriate action.

He labelled Jamal as an irresponsible person whose action could affect the harmony in the country.

"Police should not let such a thing happen," he added.

Jamal was detained by the police under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code, over his alleged statements that riots would occur in Petaling Street, this Saturday.

The rally was called off later on the advice of local authorities.

Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom or better known as Ali Tinju said the planned rally on Saturday has been called off to allow the authorities to react to the group's demands that more Malay traders be allowed to do business in Petaling Street.