Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the rioting at Low Yat Plaza on Sunday should not have happened more so during Ramadan when Muslims must refrain from hunger, thirst, anger and hatred.

"This should not have happened despite the different faiths. The solution to anger is not by rioting as it will make the country unsafe and unattractive for anyone," he said at the breaking-of-fast with the wives of Kedah MPs and state assemblypersons association (Bidara) in Alor Setar today.

The rioting at Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur was sparked by the arrest of a suspect caught for stealing a mobile phone.
  
Mahathir said in the face of problems, peaceful negotiation is the best way to prevent turmoil.
    
"We should show to everyone that Islam is a peaceful religion. We do not have to disconnect from others just because we are fasting. They do not stop us from practising our faith."

He said Malaysia should take lessons from countries such as Yemen, Syria and Libya which are in turmoil because they failed to resolve problems via negotiations.

"In the Middle East, they rejected the court's decision and tried to solve the problems with war and conflict. As a result, these countries are in chaos. We do not want this to it happen in our country."

- Bernama