BN vs Harapan showdown in Johor takes a violent turn

GE14 | A senior citizen, believed to be a BN supporter, was pushed off stage by a Pakatan Harapan supporter in Yong Peng tonight.

The incident occurred after the man in his 70s started pulling out PKR flags from a venue where an MCA ceramah was going on.

Videos of the incident, taken from different angles, are currently circulating on social media.

One 30-second video begins with a tense crowd of BN and Harapan supporters beneath the stage, before the camera zooms onto the stage, where a man, who appeared to be in his 50s, is seen pushing the senior citizen off.

The elderly man is then herded away to safety by several other men.

Another video, taken from the side of the stage, shows the events that unfolded prior to the pushing episode.

It shows the senior citizen pulling out PKR flags planted on the stage and throwing them to the ground, as a speech by MCA deputy president and incumbent Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong is heard in the background.

The younger man is then shown getting onto the stage and pushing the senior citizen off.

Yong Peng is a state seat under the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency, which Wee will defend against Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong in the coming polls.

Police report lodged

BN candidate for Yong Peng Ling Tian Soon claimed Harapan supporters had put up PKR flags while MCA was holding a parents' day celebration.

He said the senior citizen then took out PKR flags, which angered Harapan supporters and led to a scuffle. 

“The elderly man was sent to the clinic for a checkup. We will report to the police,” he was quoted as saying in China Press.

In a statement, DAP incumbent Yong Peng assemblyperson Chew Peck Choo acknowledged and expressed regret over the incident, which took place at around 8.30pm.  

"A dispute arose when an MCA supporter removed PKR flags which had been put up at the venue. It is a public space, which should be open for all to place their flags, and not private property.

"We regret that this happened and urge supporters from both sides to remain calm and rational throughout the campaign period.

"We will cooperate fully with any investigation and urge all to conduct themselves with good decorum," she said. 

In a Facebook posting later, Wee confirmed that the senior citizen was MCA veteran Tan Hong Hi. 

“I am angered and saddened that an MCA veteran was pushed off the stage by a DAP supporter. Regardless of any disagreement, do you need to push a senior citizen off stage?

“I was speaking and heard some argument behind the scene. I was made to understand it was a flag issue. But do you need to push a septuagenarian from the stage and hurt him?”

He urged DAP not to bring the internet bullying culture to reality. - Mkini