NST
14 November, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: The illegal rally on Saturday was a “waste of time”. Barisan Nasional leaders said yesterday that the rally failed to meet its objectives as no one took the protesters seriously.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said foreign investors were still keen on doing business here.
She said they did not care about rallies or demonstrations.
“They know the history of our opposition parties. What they are interested in is our business policies here, whether we are creating an environment for them to make money and to enter regional markets.”
Rafidah said no one asked her about the protest when she was in Europe recently.
She said this after the launch of the inaugural Intrade Malaysia and KL International Forum at Menara Matrade.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended the four-day trade forum featuring 366 exhibitors from 25 countries.
“I advise the public to be aware of what the opposition is trying to do. It is a really negative move,” Rafidah said.
In Malacca, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam described the rally as a “waste of time”.
Describing it as an irresponsible act, he said it did not benefit anyone.
“I call on the people to reject such rallies. As we have witnessed, peace-loving Malaysians have suffered and businesses have incurred losses because of this irresponsible act.” .
Ali, also Malacca Chief Minister, said the police took the right action in dispersing the rally.
“Claims of police brutality are baseless. The men in blue wanted to safeguard the interest of innocent Malaysians and acted in a professional manner.”
In Kuantan, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the Internal Security Act should be used against those involved in illegal rallies and demonstrations.
He said the government should give priority to national security rather than legal and human rights.
“In the West, including the United States and Europe, they are more concerned about national security and public order.
“We have given too much priority to legal issues and human rights at the expense of national security.”
Adnan also dismissed criticisms on the police action to stop the rally.
On the opposition’s move to draw the monarchy into politics, he said it would fail.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the demonstrators’ move to submit a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong went against the spirit of the Constitution.
“Our monarchy is a constitutional one whereby the king is advised by the prime minister.”
The Al-Jazeera news network was also not spared criticism.
Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said the network’s coverage of Saturday’s demonstration was “biased”.
He said it had created the wrong impression of the country with a “one-sided, unfair and wrong presentation of events in the country”.
“They should realise that Malaysia is a democratic country and not the type of democracy depicted by the network.
“They should understand our policy, our history. They did not give a true picture of Malaysia. Instead, they presented a negative image of the country to the world.”
Documentation and Monitoring CoordinatorYawn, rally just ‘a waste of time’
14 November, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: The illegal rally on Saturday was a “waste of time”. Barisan Nasional leaders said yesterday that the rally failed to meet its objectives as no one took the protesters seriously.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said foreign investors were still keen on doing business here.
She said they did not care about rallies or demonstrations.
“They know the history of our opposition parties. What they are interested in is our business policies here, whether we are creating an environment for them to make money and to enter regional markets.”
Rafidah said no one asked her about the protest when she was in Europe recently.
She said this after the launch of the inaugural Intrade Malaysia and KL International Forum at Menara Matrade.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended the four-day trade forum featuring 366 exhibitors from 25 countries.
“I advise the public to be aware of what the opposition is trying to do. It is a really negative move,” Rafidah said.
In Malacca, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam described the rally as a “waste of time”.
Describing it as an irresponsible act, he said it did not benefit anyone.
“I call on the people to reject such rallies. As we have witnessed, peace-loving Malaysians have suffered and businesses have incurred losses because of this irresponsible act.” .
Ali, also Malacca Chief Minister, said the police took the right action in dispersing the rally.
“Claims of police brutality are baseless. The men in blue wanted to safeguard the interest of innocent Malaysians and acted in a professional manner.”
In Kuantan, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the Internal Security Act should be used against those involved in illegal rallies and demonstrations.
He said the government should give priority to national security rather than legal and human rights.
“In the West, including the United States and Europe, they are more concerned about national security and public order.
“We have given too much priority to legal issues and human rights at the expense of national security.”
Adnan also dismissed criticisms on the police action to stop the rally.
On the opposition’s move to draw the monarchy into politics, he said it would fail.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the demonstrators’ move to submit a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong went against the spirit of the Constitution.
“Our monarchy is a constitutional one whereby the king is advised by the prime minister.”
The Al-Jazeera news network was also not spared criticism.
Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said the network’s coverage of Saturday’s demonstration was “biased”.
He said it had created the wrong impression of the country with a “one-sided, unfair and wrong presentation of events in the country”.
“They should realise that Malaysia is a democratic country and not the type of democracy depicted by the network.
“They should understand our policy, our history. They did not give a true picture of Malaysia. Instead, they presented a negative image of the country to the world.”