KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 Jun (Bernama) — The illegal assembly planned by several groups scheduled for July 9 has caused concern among members of the public on its adverse implications.
They were also worried that a third party might take advantage from the assembly for its own benefit.
Following are some of the public reactions on the proposed illegal assembly:
“The July 9 assembly was actually hatched by people who cannot wait to be in power and not because elections in the country are not clean. The action of these trouble-makers in trying to hold the illegal street demonstrations was to regain support they lost in the 2008 general election as the support momentum is now back in the Barisan Nasional’s favour.” (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak)
“The public should not get involved in the illegal assembly as it could affect public order. I am monitoring the situation…and furthermore, there have been hundreds of police reports lodged stating their objection to the planned demonstration.” (Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar)
“Cuepacs urge civil servants not to be involved in the illegal assembly on July 9. All 1.2 million civil servants are bound to the “Aku Janji” signed when they joined the service as it prohibits them from joining such activities.” (The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk Omar Osman)
“The group planning the illegal assembly has been manipulated by certain quarters to promote their own political agenda and not champion the people’s rights as they claim. Elections in Malaysia are conducted in a fair manner and this is evident
from the number of opposition elected representatives we have in Parliament and the state legislative assembles now.” (The Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party president Datuk R.S. Thanenthiran)
“The gatherings will only cause hardship to the people, and affect the income of small traders and taxi drivers who are members of the association.” (The Ex-Policeman Association of Malaysia acting president Datuk Yusuf Hamdain Diego)
“The gathering will not only affect the public but also the country’s image. Why do we need to have demonstrations? You should know that it is hard to maintain peace when several parties are demonstrating, especially if a clash is triggered between any of them, the public will be victimized.” (Gagasan Pendidikan Melayu Malaysia secretary general Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad)
“Malaysians should learn from the demonstrations carried out in several countries which affected their safety, peace and business.” (Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee)
“The gathering will not benefit anybody but in fact it will disrupt my earnings as a taxi driver and inconvenience others too.”
(Taxi driver, Samad Ismail, 43)
“The assembly needs to be called off because it is not only affecting traders’ income but also jeopardises public safety.” (Handbag and women accessories retailer, Rosyna Alias, 48)
“If the assembly proceeds, it will affect the daily routine of women and make us afraid to go out. We have to stay at home and be wary of our safety.” (Private worker Muliana Mohamad, 26) — BERNAMA