Rally-goers urged to abort plans or risk riots
KUALA LUMPUR: Potential rally-goers have been urged to call off their plans to gather and demonstrate on Nov 19 or risk facing a similar fate as the deadly Jakarta riots last Friday.
Citing the violent protest in the Indonesian capital that left one dead, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz warned that the streets of the city could end up the same if both the Bersih and Red Shirt groups insist on going ahead with their plans.
“Now, Jakarta is in turmoil. Do we want to end up like that? Our country is blessed. I’d even compare it with paradise, so why sacrifice it?
“That is why we are saying, these young people should not act impetuously. First we could end up like Jakarta, and later like Syria and Iraq. We can’t afford that,” he told reporters after officiating the Gotong Royong Kampung Baru organised by Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad, here, yesterday.
The streets of Jakarta erupted in violence on Friday night, leaving one dead and scores injured, as police clashed with about 150,000 demonstrators demanding the arrest of the city’s Chinese Christian governor.
Mhd Amin has also urged organisers of both groups to hold their planned rallies in a more secure location such as stadiums or multi-purpose halls, after applications to hold them at Dataran Merdeka were rejected by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
He explained the applications were rejected as the venue was only meant for national events.
“If they want to hold rallies in halls or even stadiums, it is up to them. Why do you have to do it outside and cause trouble to everyone else?”
Despite the failed application, Bersih had last week, said the group would still gather and march towards Dataran Merdeka, but will only assemble in surrounding areas outside the square.
Meanwhile, Mhd Amin urged Kuala Lumpur citizens to practise waste separation, after seeing close to 3,000 tonnes of domestic waste produced each day, up from 2,500 tonnes earlier this year.
He said City Hall also spends about RM260 million each year to dispose the rubbish, including payment to concessionaire Alam Flora, management expenditure at transfer stations and waste disposal costs.