Khairy: I, too, received SMS threat

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar today claimed he, too, received a threat against his safety in a mobile phone text message.

According to a twitter message, the Rembau member of Parliament said he, Umno Youth secretary Megat Firdouz and a number of Umno Youth leaders were sent texts warning them of the risk of the July 9 rallies planned by several parties over the matter of free and fair elections.

“SMS kpd saya, Megat SU Pemuda UMNO & pimpinan lain mengenai himpunan 9 Julai merupakan ugutan terhadap keselamatan. Akan report polis. #fb

'An SMS to me, Megat secretary of Umno Youth & other leaders over the July 9 gathering (which) looks like a threat to security. Will lodge a report with the police,' said the tweet.

Khairy's tweet comes a mere days after the chairperson of the Bersih 2.0 coalition lobbying for free and fair elections Ambiga Sreenevasan received on Wednesday night an SMS warning her against continuing with the rally next Sunday.

PAS' Selangor and Federal Territory Youth divisions alone have pledged more than 100,000 of their members to join the demonstration, slated to commence in three different locations and culminate in the submission of a memorandum for free and fair elections to the National Palace.

None of the groups involved in either the Bersih 2.0 coalition - which is made up of activist and political groups - or the pro-BN groups such as Umno Youth and Perkasa that have promised to hold counter-rallies at the same time as Bersih have been issued permits for their assemblies.

Senior police officers have said they were fully prepared to deal with anyone who insisted on proceeding with the illegal street demonstrations.

In Ipoh, deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar (above) said that as of yesterday, 1,248 police reports had been lodged by various governmental and non-governmental organisations, politicians and individuals opposing the illegal street demonstrations.

Continuing this today, yet another group today voiced its objection to the July 9 rallies on the grounds of the adverse 'image' the event would portray of the country as well as the inconvenience it would pose to the public.

“We have never agreed with street demonstrations by anybody, whether by Perkasa or anybody else, what more if it's by a mischievous group such as this (Bersih),” education group Syed Anuar Syed Mohamed told Bernama today.

“Is there a need to demonstrate? We know that when a lot of people demonstrate, the situation will not be peaceful, especially when two groups clash. The people will be the victims,” he added.

'Use the ISA'

Syed Anuar also urged the authorities to take action rather than merely issue hard-hitting statements against those who threaten national security.

“The authorities should take whatever steps are necessary. If you need to use the (Internal Security Act) ISA, then use it.

“It's better to prevent before (untoward) things happen. We are afraid that if action is taken only after an incident, the peope would already have been victimised, such as taxi drivers, traders, those on holiday, and so on,” he said.

Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia activist Nadzim Johan said the rallies are a waste of resources.

They are the work of individuals with their own agenda who seek to challenge the nation's laws.

“This is not the way... As civilised people, we do not need to cause people hardship. Even if you want to protest, do it in a stadium or in your own homes. Don't inconvenience other people.

“If they want to express themselves, we want them to b fully responsible for anything untoward that happens,” said Nadzim.

Malaysian Association of Youth Councils president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, meanwhile, described those intending on participating as “bengong” fools and with bad intentions against the country.

"MAYC does not agree with this illegal assembly because it is not constructive and will not solve the people's problems.

“We do not want to give the false impression to the youth that only by demonstrating will we be able to solve problems,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee, meanwhile, said the July 9 illegal assembly could jeopardize the harmony of the people.

"The harmony of the people should be maintained and strengthened because it is an important element for the development of the country.

"We should not let anybody to cause chaos and affect our long enjoyed peace and security," Bernama reported him as saying last night.

Kiandee, who is also Beluran Member of Parliament, said the illegal assembly's aim to voice out their call for a fair and just election, should be done in a proper manner.

He said it was a small issue but was exaggerated by some people with a particular motive.

The deputy speaker said Malaysians should learn from the demonstrations carried out in several countries which affected their safety, peace and business. - Malaysiakini