11 May 2012
Press Statement
Burger stall protest is first step to lawlessness, says Global Bersih. THE shocking spectacle of yesterday’s burger stall incident outside the home of Ambiga Sreenevasan was a public threat against a very respected Malaysian figure that must never be allowed to happen again, Global Bersih said today.
There is no running away from the fact that Ikhlas, its chairman Mohamed Ridzuan Abdullah and the others held the personal safety of Dato Ambiga, her friends and family hostage by their action.
To call it a ‘gimmick’, as reported in the press, is to make light of a public threat to the safety of a Malaysian citizen.
This is the road to anarchy and lawlessness, and if their actions remain unchecked, it will encourage copycat action and put Malaysia at risk of descending into chaos.
Ridzuan Abdullah’s threat to repeat his unlawful act is all the more shocking for its brazenness and his apparent belief that people like him can act with impunity in a country like Malaysia.
Ridzuan Abdullah and Ikhlas made a public threat, in full view of media and authorities, and the Malaysian police and the local government responsible must be seen to act in the name of justice for all citizens of Malaysia.
Global Bersih reminds everyone that Dato Ambiga’s only ‘crime’ has been to give voice to the legitimate dreams and democratic aspirations of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Malaysians.
Even the Malaysian government realises this now.
In acting against Dato Ambiga, Ridzuan Abdullah and Ikhlas acted against countless others who risked life and limb on April 28 to build a fair and just Malaysia.
Ridzuan Abdullah and Ikhlas have insulted struggling Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians just like themselves,” the coalition of Malaysian Bersih supporters living overseas said today.
Global Bersih also reminds all the parties who participated in the historic events of April 28 that solidarity with the cause of fair and free elections does not stop at attending a rally.
These parties must also rise to meet their moral responsibilities when ugly acts like this burger stall incident are perpetrated against defenceless individuals.
The very parties that gained full mileage from Duduk Bantah must use all their power and influence to ensure that such a dastardly act never happens again.
Claims that you stand for fair and free elections become empty if you choose to be a bystander in these moments.
If the actions of Ridzuan Abdullah and Ikhlas go unpunished, Malaysia is headed for a very, very dangerous place.”
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Global Bersih
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