The first group of demonstrators converge on Komtar in George Town, March 22, 2013. — Picture by K.E. OoiGEORGE TOWN, March 22 — Two separate groups marched towards Komtar to demonstrate against the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government today, the second demonstration this month.
This time, security personnel were ready for the demonstrators as all entrances to the administrative offices in Komtar were secured. Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel also were on standby from 1pm onwards.
The first group of demonstrators consisted of about 200 people from the Malaysia Youth Rights Movement (MYRM), Penang Youth Community Association and 1Malaysia Brother Association.
Warisan Anak Merdeka president Abdul Ghani Harun (with microphone) speaking at the demonstration at Komtar. — Picture by K.E. OoiMYRM president Shen Yee Aun handed a 10-point memorandum to the Penang chief minister’s office demanding that PR answers the issues raised in the memorandum.
The first point in the memorandum was an objection to the controversial undersea tunnel project.
“Secondly, we have identified DAP cyber troopers who had made death and rape threats against a female Barisan Nasional (BN) supporter,” he claimed.
The third point was to demand that the PR state government answer why it had failed to fulfil its election promises of 2008.
“They had promised more low-cost housing but where is it? How many low-cost housing have they built for the people?” he asked.
He also asked the state government to explain and reveal the allocations for the Chinese and Indian community.
“Where is their manifesto for these two communities and what have they done for them?” he asked.
FRU personnel securing the Komtar compound where the demonstration was held. — Picture by K.E. OoiThe memorandum, by the three groups, also demanded the PR state government reveal the state manifesto for Election 2013, its stand on Lynas and why toll charges will be implemented for the Second Penang Bridge as well as the undersea tunnel.
“We want PR to reveal their candidate for the prime minister if they were to take over Putrajaya. Is it Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or Hadi Awang?” he asked.
He also criticised the state government’s free Wi-Fi initiative which he claimed is inaccessible most of the time.
The group dispersed after about 30 minutes and almost immediately after they left, the second group marched to Komtar from the Masjid Jamek Simpang Enam after Friday prayers at about 2.30pm.
The second group, of about 50 people from Warisan Anak Merdeka, demonstrated against the “Kalimah Allah” issue while demanding Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng apologise.
They also handed a memorandum to the chief minister’s office. It came attached with a “letter of apology” that Lim was supposed to sign.
Malaysia Youth Rights Movement president Shen Yee Aun. — Picture by K.E. OoiThey demanded that Lim withdraw his statement made last Christmas where he had asked for the word “Allah” be allowed in the Malay versions of the Bible in East Malaysia.
Group president Abdul Ghani Harun said the word “Allah” can only be used by Muslims and not followers of other religions.
Just two weeks ago, a group of about 100 people from several Malay and Muslim non-governmental organisations held similar a demonstration at Komtar but had resorted to violence when trying to gain access to the state administrative offices.
Today, both groups were not allowed access to level three of Komtar where the lifts to the administrative offices were located.
A heavy police presence and FRU personnel kept the group from encroaching onto Komtar so both groups stayed on the underpass of Lebuh Tek Soon to voice their protestations.
Nobody was arrested in the demonstrations and the second group of demonstrators dispersed completely by 3pm.
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