Muhyiddin convinced majority of the people are relieved

BETONG - Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is convinced that the majority of the people are relieved and do not want to see a repeat of the illegal rally held on Saturday.

He said the majority of them felt that the measures taken by the authorities had met the aspiration of the people who wanted the country to remain peaceful without any turbulence.

"This is a situation that we want to avoid because the illegal rally by the opposition or groups supporting 'Bersih', which is an illegal organisation, is not a part of the Malaysian culture actually," he told reporters after launching the Gawai Dayak 2011 Malaysian open house at the Wilson Begat Ak Bakir Longhouse in Penom, Ulu Paku near here today.

Asked whether the mind of the people should be strengthened following the incident, he said the country practiced the democratic system and the government acted based on the provisions of the law and constitution.

What was obvious, he said, was that certain groups had violated the law and totally ignored the sovereignty of the Ruler as the head of state, who had given advice that street demonstrations should not be held.

On the other hand, he said, there would continue to be national prosperity and harmony if the spirit of cooperation between the various races continued to be inculcated and propagated based on the principles of social unity such as the Gawai Dayak celebration.

The Gawai Dayak celebration was a social event participated together by all Malaysians instead of an activity purely linked to religious beliefs, he said.

The Wilson Begat Ak Bakit Longhouse, from where the Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah originated, could be reached within five hours by land from Kuching. Uggah was also present at the function.

- Bernama