Wanita MCA Penang – Protestors must stay away from private residences

While the DAP-led Penang administration’s dismal performance has let down Penangites despite its promise to deliver changes it claimed it would, and more recently, the jibe by the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Penang state assembly that Hindu temples would be demolished should UMNO return warrants criticism, it should be pointed out that Perkasa’s “funeral rites” antic at the DAP Secretary General personal residence or Ikhlas grilling burgers just outside the home premises of Bersih chairman Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasa as a sign of protest against income loss during the Bersih 3.0 protest on 28 April 2012 must be chastised.

During 2008 the general election campaign period, Pakatan supporters had also misused my photograph as a funeral rite. Back then however, Pakatan candidates and leaders did not chide this debased stunt by their supporters. Although Pakatan supporters did this to me, I do not condone and will condemn such similar actions taken on any political rival.

As a female politician and social activist, I can comprehend Dato’ Ambiga’s idealism and principles she upholds, although I do not agree with all the contents or method of taking to the streets when Stadium Merdeka was offered considering that was the location which the organisers requested for Bersih 2.0.  

However, I call on all detractors objecting against the Penang Chief Minister and Bersih organisers to leave their respective family members and neighbours alone. They are innocent and neutral parties and should not be subjected to bad-mannered behaviour, more particularly in one’s private residential when differences of political differences abound.  

Detractors should resort to the law by filing whatever claims they may have against Guan Eng or Bersih at court. If they insist, then stage a peaceful protest outside the Komtar building, Bersih headquarters in accordance with the law after notifying the authorities and receiving the nod.

Malaysians’ security accorded by law

I urge the DAP-led state government to improve on their shortcomings to the people. I also condemn the violence towards the media personnel, the public and the police that erupted during the Bersih 3.0 protests in Kuala Lumpur.

Nevertheless Guan Eng, Dato’ Ambiga and their family members are fellow Malaysian citizens and deserve equal and full protection of the law from intimidation or trespass or such less than welcome behaviour as exhibited yesterday by Perkasa and Ikhlas.

Demonstration can grow out of hand

Meanwhile, I hope that the Penang Chief Minister, Bersih members and any other groups now take cognition that in regularly urging the masses to take to the streets, the disturbing subsequent reactions displayed by Perkasa and Ikhlas or street demonstration spiraling out of control are possible unfortunate repercussions which any decent civilization would hope to and must take steps to avoid.   

Sdri Tan Cheng Liang

Wanita MCA Penang Chairman