Harapan cries foul as angry group scutttles JB village meet and greet

A Pakatan Harapan meet and greet in Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Bahru last night was cut short after being interrupted by angry locals.

Stulang assemblyperson Andew Chen Kah Eng claimed the disruption was caused by Umno and BN members.

"They have abused their power (in order) to frighten people and stop us from meeting the people," Chen said in a Facebook live press conference at an eatery in Kampung Bakar Batu.

Also present were Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, Johor Harapan secretary Osman Sapian from Bersatu, and Johor PKR information chief Akmal Nasir.

Sporadic shouts could be heard in the background as Chen was speaking.

Osman claimed he had faced similar harassment by youths wearing blue shirts previously.

"Who are they if they wear blue, if not BN and Umno Youth, BN Youth (members)?" he said.

Osman's remarks incensed an onlooker, an elderly man wearing a white kopiah.

"Don't drag Umno into this. I don't like it," the man claiming to be a local, said.

The man continued to heckle Osman, who continued the live press conference by speaking louder.

The crowd soon became more agitated, until a youth wearing a blue hat told the Harapan people to "relax" and that "we don't want trouble".

After the commotion died down, the camera turned to Lim, who said he reserves comment until he could get an explanation from Umno's Johor Bahru MP Shahrir Samad.

The group then dispersed peacefully.- Mkini