Street protest will be destructive, says Najib

The premier also reiterates the government's stand that Bersih can hold its rally in “a stadium from morning until night”.

PUTRAJAYA: Najib Tun Razak has reminded the people not to destroy what has been built over the years.

The Prime Minister said the planned illegal rally by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on July 9 is not a good way to find a solution.

“The illegal rally is not intended to correct the system but is politically motivated to gain power via undemocratic means.

“Street protest… if it does happen… will give a free ride to many people. There is no guarantee that everything will proceed peacefully.

“Those who love rioting and chaos will take advantage of the situation. This is what we want to avoid,” he said at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly gathering here today.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan and several Cabinet ministers.

Najib said there are other ways to address the issue and that they should not be influenced by emotion.

“This is a reminder before its too late. If they want to submit a memorandum and so forth they can show democracatic decency by cooperating with authorities.

“We are willing to provide a stadium for them to rally but why choose to protest in the streets….they must have other ideas.

“The government is not against them rallying in a stadium from morning until night. Just don’t hold street protest as it is very risky to the nation,” he said.

If the illegal rally’s goal is to correct the election system, then how did Barisan Nasional lose five states in the 2008 general election, he asked.

Listen to the King

Najib said this shows that the election system conducted in the country is free and fair.

The Election Commission (EC) is also willing to make improvements by introducing a biometric system.

“The funny thing is when when they win there is silence on phantom voters. But it reappears when election is near. This type of phantom comes and goes.”

He reminded the people to listen to advice from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin who is worried that the illegal rally will bring more harm than good.

“I hope we remember and realise the responsibility to take care of the country’s future for the sake of the children and the survival of Malaysia that we love.”

Malaysia has since independence, developed into a successful nation based on five principles of racial harmony, political stability, open market system, upholding the constitution and law and introducing policies that will be implemented.

Najib said the government has successfully implement the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) in the first six months of the year.

“We are and will continue to make efforts to alleviate the people’s burden. We don’t want to burden the people and plan to upgrade their quality of life from time to time,” he added.

- Bernama