Group stages demonstration, urges govt to set up RCI
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of people claiming to be representatives of political parties, non-governmental organisations and victims of the Memali tragedy is urging the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the incident.
They claimed the victims of the Memali incident “thirst for justice” even though it took place more than 30 years ago.
Carrying banners with “Solehah Husain”, the name of the widow of Ibrahim Mahmud, the group of more than 20 people staged a demonstration outside Masjid Jamek here after Friday prayers.
Ibrahim was the leader of what was described as a sect in Memali, Baling. On Nov 19, 1985, police attempted to arrest Ibrahim under the Internal Security Act, prompting a clash that left 18 people, including four policemen, dead.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was then prime minister, has been blamed by those involved in the clash and the families of those who died.
Mohd Helmi Iskandar, who claimed to be a Pas Ampang division member, led the demonstration.
Helmi said it was time an RCI was set up to look into the incident.
He said he was disappointed that Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), made up largely of former Pas members, had agreed to Dr Mahathir being the prime ministerial candidate for Pakatan Harapan.
He said he could not understand how PAN could work with the person blamed for the tragedy in Memali, which was then a Pas stronghold.
Zainon Ismail, 61, who claimed to have once been married to a widow of one of those who died in the incident, urged Dr Mahathir to apologise to the victims.
He said if Dr Mahathir did not apologise, the latter did not deserve to be the next prime minister.