Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii was glad that Umno did not entertain the invitation to attend the "Nothing to Hide 2" event which turned violent.
“Lucky (nasib baik) we didn’t entertain the challenge from Armada to join the ‘Nothing to Hide’,” he said in a text message to Malaysiakini.
Armada is the official name of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) youth wing.
He said Armada only has itself to blame for the violence for supposedly “picking a fight with members of the public”, and thus should not blame others for the incident.
Other Umno leaders were more sympathetic over the incident.
"What happened today at #nothingtohide is upsetting. But we would be doing more harm than good if we start pointing fingers without evidence," said Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun in a Twitter posting.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar also condemned the incident.
“What happened at the #Nothing2Hide must be condemned and cannot be tolerated. I hope the police will apprehend those responsible,” said Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief.
Azmin blames gov't supporters
Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali blamed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's supporters for the incident.
“Mahathir merely wanted to debate Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in accordance with the practices of a healthy democracy but was met with slippers, chairs, and flares in response," he said in a statement.
Azmin said the fracas was an attempt to silence Mahathir.
Similar claims were made against Umno on social media but Khairy and Khairul urged the public not to jump to conclusions.
Bersatu Youth, which organised the event in Shah Alam, had invited Najib to debate with Mahathir. Najib did not entertain the invitation.
In the absence of Najib, the event was expected to be a one-sided function but it later became apparent there were agent provocateurs dressed in Bersatu Youth T-shirts within the crowd.
They hurled various items at the direction of Mahathir, including slippers, bottles, chairs and flares, none of which hit him.
Sporadic fighting ensued as Bersatu supporters attempted to apprehend the suspected troublemakers.
Mahathir was not hurt in the incident.
Meanwhile, former information minister Zainuddin Maidin warned of things to come when the campaign period for the 14th general election kicks off.
“Imagine what would happen in the 14th general election campaign, when bottles and chairs were hurled at Mahathir at Nothing to Hide 2 today,” he said on Twitter.
Three suspects were detained and handed to the police.
At least one journalist covering the event suffered injuries to his knee during the fracas. - Mkini
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