Yesterday, a fight broke out between two groups, just hours after police had earlier ordered a large group outside Low Yat Plaza to disperse. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, July 13, 2015.
PAS leaders today urged all parties not to manipulate the fights at Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur last night by giving an inaccurate picture and diverting the people's attention from more pressing issues.
Its deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, blamed social media, which he said, had ignited the flames of racism and hatred leading to the incident which started over the sale of a mobile phone.
"The police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have to act and stop this attempt to stir up racial hatred among races through social media.
"PAS hopes that the authorities can act as soon as possible and as diligently as possible to close the opportunity for those who are trying to take advantage of the situation to divert the people's attention," he said.
Reminding the people to be aware of what had happened, Tuan Ibrahim said that they have to avoid from being a tool to those who are "skilled at using the racial and religious sentiments”.
His comment appeared to be a veiled remark aimed at Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his administration currently embroiled in numerous controversies from debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad to questionable Mara's oversea property purchases.
"Although the Low Yat Plaza incident is disturbing, the people should not be taken in or trapped in the racial issues to distract them from controversies such as the nation's funds and the integrity of its top leaders.
"Just because of something that costs a thousand or two, then we forget the issue regarding billions of ringgit of missing state funds.
"This diversion tactic… in the end, can lead to the people forgetting national issues," Tuan Ibrahim added.
Other PAS leaders said the incident should be viewed as a consumer issue and had nothing to do with racial or religious sentiments.
"The Low Yat incident can be manipulated as a racial issue by irresponsible people," said Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is chair of Gerakan Anti Perkauman (GAP) and former PAS central committee member.
"The fact is, it is about consumerism involving the claim that a company selling this communication tool and the out-of-control response by users who claimed to be the victims.
"At the same time, a customer was accused of stealing and was arrested by security guards.
"All claims must be investigated to avoid such an incident by racists who will exploit the situation," he said in a statement today.
He also urged Netizens not to "add salt" to the incident with inciting hatred for other races.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also advised all parties to be calm to avoid provocation.
"PAS would like to plead and ask all in this country, especially those around Bukit Bintang and Kuala Lumpur, to be calm and to avoid any provocation that can heat up the situation.
"Let us not taint the harmony we have with different races in the country with an incident that can disrupt the good relationship between all that has been forged since years ago," he said, expressing regret over the incident.
Yesterday, a fight broke out between two groups, just hours after police had earlier ordered a large group outside Low Yat Plaza to disperse.
Fistfights broke out among members of both groups while helmets and other items were thrown at each other. Several people, including media personnel, were injured in the incident.
Several people were detained and police later ordered everyone, including media personnel to disperse, failing which, they were warned that they would be arrested.
The drama at Low Yat Plaza began on Saturday when it was reported that a youth had visited a shop there to buy a Lenovo S860 handphone worth RM799.
The salesman claimed that the suspect had run off with the phone when he turned away to get a free gift.
A chase ensued and handphone dealers in another shop caught the suspect, assaulted him and handed him over to the police. However, the suspected thief's friends later barged into the plaza and attacked the store where the employees had helped in apprehending the suspect.
- TMI
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.