Positive response from MCA on A-G’s decision to charge cow-head protestors

Extracted from Malaysia Today
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 17:27

The decision by the Attorney-General to charge the cow-head protestors has received some positive responses from around, and the MCA is one who lauded the move. According to Lee Wei Kiat, a spokesman of the party, “The decision by the A-G’s Chambers was a positive move towards restoring civility in an otherwise simmering situation in Section 23.

It indicates the A-G’s Chambers, as a public body, is impartial ... when the laws of the land are broken. It was incumbent that the A-G’s Chambers and police implement the rule of law irrespective of the protestors’ political afflication. Public confidence in enforcement agencies is undermined and the perception of selective prosecution emerged if no further action was taken against one group whose actions were tantamount to inciting racial disharmony. While protestors can have ideals they hold on to, at no time whatsoever should public assemblies or closed-door dialogues be allowed to be turned into launchpads of war cries which threaten public order and lives or instigate carnage. Matters are more easily resolved amicably when people of divergent views sit down and talk rationally to work towards a common solution that is acceptable to both parties,”

Datuk Ti Lian Ker, the chairman of the MCA’s Non-government Organisation Liaison Bureau too voiced a similar stand saying that “The Aug 28 incident went against the Malaysian political culture of consensus building in a legal and peaceful manner. We hope that the decision to charge these illegal demonstrators and those who had inflamed religious and racial sentiments will be consistent and without regard of their political support or affiliations so that the rule of law prevails. The police and the A-G should also charge residents who “committed criminal assault and battery” against Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in last Saturday’s dialogue. Both are elected representatives of the people. The uncouth mob behaviour displayed by several residents -- such as carrying a chair in a display of violence to an elected official -- must not be allowed or encouraged,”