KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Calling an illegal assembly supported by
the opposition on April 28 at Dataran Merdeka as "Bersih" (Clean) is a gross
abuse of the word, said several members of the Senate.
Senator Datuk Dr Firdaus Abdullah said based on what the demonstrators had
done, the gathering should be called ''April 28 Riot'' as it was marked by
desecration and abusive behaviour which could not be associated with the word
''bersih''.
"We should be calling it ''April 28 Riot'' or the ''Mob of April 28, 2012'',"
said the former director-general of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka when debating on
the Supplementary (2011) Supply Bill 2012 in the Dewan Negara, here, today.
Senator Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar said the government should have been
stricter with the group of rioters rather than just giving them a warning.
He said the Home Ministry should be firmer in handling the issue as there
were talks of more such rallies.
-- MORE
SENATE-DEBATE (RALLY) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Senator Datuk Syed Ibrahim Kader urged the government to be more aggressive
in explaining to the people on the issues raised by the rally organisers and
demonstrators so that the people would not be confused by their political game.
Senator Dayang Madirah Abang Haji Openg said she did not want such a
movement to spread to Sarawak as there were attempts to hold a simultaneous
demonstration with Kuala Lumpur on the same date in Kuching which failed to gain
public support.
"In fact, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was in Sarawak at that
time for the ''Promises Fulfilled'' programme which was attended by tens of
thousands of people, proving the support of Sarawakians for the government and
prime minister," she said.
-- BERNAMA
SS3 FBR MYS HK CHW MO