The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) strongly condemns any violence and acts of hooliganism toward political rivals. Last night (22 October), a group of thugs disrupted a dinner event by MUDA in the Yong Sheng banquet hall (1) in Muar. A similar interruption happened in a MUDA ceramah in Muar on 16 October.
BERSIH would like to remind all parties that violence and hooliganism can be considered as an election offence under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954 as promoting feelings of ill- will or hostility, aside from being an offence under the Penal Code. If convicted, the person can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined up to RM10,000 or both.
BERSIH calls on all peace-loving Malaysians who want a more positive and healthy campaign to strongly condemn and reject any form of violence and hooliganism regardless of which party they are from.
BERSIH also wants to remind that such violent and hooligan culture cannot be part of a clean and free election culture. These acts are a form of negative campaigning and extreme provocation. Elections are for parties to contest based on ideas, policies, manifestos and actions to help the people. Such negative campaigning must be rejected by all Malaysians. Let’s not be intimidated and get out to vote to reject political violence.
Released by:
The Steering Committee of BERSIH