Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today denied that the dominant BN party has issued a directive to disrupt opposition ceramah programmes.
Condemning the purported violence that saw rocks and water bottles being thrown at participants of an opposition ceramah, Khairy who is Rembau MP, called for a stop to such intimidation and aggression.
"Violence has no place in Malaysian politics. I can categorically state there is no such directive (to disrupt opposition ceramah)," he said when asked whether such a directive had neen issued by the party to disrupt opposition ceramah programmes.
"The police should not allow opposing ceramah to take place nearby and must also ensure the safety of politicians and participants, regardless of their party," Khairy said.
Last night's ceramah by the opposition leader and PKR de facto leader saw stones, water bottles and eggs being thrown at participants, with an elderly man injured on his head and a 12-year-old girl on her wrist.
Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar also described last night's episode, which attracted a crowd of 1,000 people, as the worst ever as electricity was cut and stones almost hit her as she was addressing the gathering.
Over the weekend in Merlimau, Malacca two DAP assemblypersons were also pelted with eggs and stones, resulting in Bandar Hilir assemblyeperson Tey Kok Kiew's car being damaged, with the windscreen broken as well.
'Compete with ideas'
The Pakatan ceramah on Wednesday was also reported to have suffered disruption from thugs.
Khairy called on the people to compete with ideas and not depend on intimidation and aggression.
“There have been some allegations made about last night's function at Lembah Pantai.
"Some of the allegations are directed at Umno. I view these allegations seriously.
“We will be investigating this matter thoroughly in order to find out who was responsible and will take appropriate action against them,” he vowed.
The Umno Youth chief also called on political parties, whether in BN or Pakatan Rakyat, to have better coordination from now in view of the wide expectations that the 13th general election would be called soon.
“I think each party headquarters should also inform the opposing parties of ceramah schedules so that there will no clash of events on the same night,” Khairy added.
Nurul: Disciplinary action should be taken
Responding to Khairy, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said that if no instructions were given, disciplinary action should be taken.
“It is insufficient to say that no supposed instruction were given, when they are not silenced nor disciplined for doing these terrible things. It is untenable,” she said at a press conference today.
She added that if Lembah Pantai Umno chief Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin wants to challenge her so badly, then he should do so in a debate, especially on the Employee Provident Fund-backed low-income housing scheme he had proposed.
Batu MP Tian Chua, who was also at the scene last night, said that Raja Nong Chik should also step up and take control of his division members.
“It has never been so violent in Bandar Tun Razak, Batu, Setiawangsa and Wangsa Maju. I’m not sure if this is because Lembah Pantai Umno members are more aggressive than others, or love the party better.
“I challenge (Raja Nong Chik) to take an open stand on this incident and take discplinary action against his supporters,” he said.
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