BEWARE OF NAJIB’S GAMEPLAN, WARNS ANWAR: VIOLENT CLASHES TO ESCALATE AS GE14 NEARS, CULMINATING IN EMERGENCY RULE IF NAJIB LOSES

Jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is concerned that violence might escalate as the 14^th general election draws closer.

The Pakatan Harapan de facto leader said the government must ensure that the right and freedom of all quarters, including that of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to present their views are safeguarded.

Anwar, who is serving a five-year sentence for a sodomy conviction, also recalled his experience during the last general election.

“The experience of GE13 where there were several attacks, including stones being thrown and the windscreens of the buses I was travelling on were shattered without any action by the police.

“Therefore, we urge the government to be stern with the perpetrators,” he added in a media statement.

Anwar was commenting on the violence which erupted at yesterday’s Nothing to Hide 2 forum in Shah Alam.

As Mahathir was responding to a question on the Memali incident, there was pandemonium in the hall when flares were ignited and chairs were thrown.

It was also reported that shoes were lobbed in the direction of the former premier.

The police arrested three youths, who were clad in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth t-shirts, in connection with the incident.

Bersatu Youth, however, has denied that the suspects are its members. The wing also claimed that there were those paid to masquerade as its members.

Several opposition leaders pinned the blame on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The incident also drew condemnation from government leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

MKINI