(Pandamaran, Klang, Sunday): About 500 villagers, members and leaders of DAP took part in a protest outside the "Palace of Raja Zakaria" this morning at 10.30am. The protest was organized by Selangor DAP. DAP Sec Gen Lim Guan Eng traveled all the way from Melaka to lead the protest together with the Selangor team. Keadilan was represented by Dr Xavier, Krishna, Khairul and a few of their members.

The Selangor team was led by State Chairman Ong Chee Keng. Other state committee members who showed up in full force were Chandra Mohan, Khoo Chee Pock, Sivadurai, Woon Ah Kui, Lau Weng San, Cheong Kai Cheng, Peter Tan, Lim Lip Eng, Kuan Perk Siong, Batumalai. Former DAP candidate for Pandamaran Tee Boon Hock was also there to lend his support. The DAP HQ also sent a team consist of Ng Wei Aik and Lim Swee Kuan.

When we arrived, some twenty to thirty men sent by Zakaria Mat Deros were already there with a purpose to disrupt the protest. They shouted shamelessly and even attempted to snatch the protest banners brought by the DAP before the arrival of Lim Guan Eng. We managed to hold them back after some heated exchanges. I have negotiated with the local Special Branch chief for a peaceful gathering and we will wrap it up after the press conference. We assured him that the gathering will be peaceful and orderly.

The assault started after the speech delivered by Guan Eng. Sivadurai was punched and kicked by one of Zakaria's men when he was trying to prevent the chap from disrupting the DAPSY Chief Nga Khor Ming from speaking.

In his speech, Lim thanked the Sultan of Selangor for his concern in the matter and urged the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to take further action against Zakaria. He criticized Khir for asking Zakaria to resign as a Municipality Councilor only after the Sultan has spoken. He also said the Zakaria's scandal has strengthened the argument for the restoration of local government election. The third vote would be useful in ridding out greedy and arrogant elements like Zakaria Mat Deros. He later spoke about money politics and "samseng" (hooligans) politics of Umno.

I have urged Mohan, the OCPD of Klang, who arrived much later that he should look into our complaint seriously and immediately. Besides assaulting our members, the hooligans also broke the side mirror of the DAP Balakong mobile service van and broke the wire of the DAP Pasar Klang mobile service van.

Our members and leaders stood our ground firmly and calmly throughout the gathering and we must thank the Pandamaran people for coming out in full force to lend their support and solidarity to the public protest. They remained where they were despite of repeated threats from the hired-hands of Zakaria.

Regrettably, the police only sent a small team of less than ten officers to monitor the situation and they have failed miserably in crowd control. They should have sent a bigger team to ensure law and order.

The Sultan of Selangor has done his part as a concerned ruler.  It will be good if he could strip off Zakaria's datukship as the Umno division chief has brought disgrace to the palace.   Any other political action will be the responsibility of Umno leadership.

Malaysians now have a right to know how Zakaria managed to amass more than RM10 million in less than two terms as a state assemblyman as well as Local Councilor. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Dr Khir Toya must remove Zakaria as a state assemblyman to safeguard the name of Umno. A man not fit as a Local Councilor is certainly not fit as a state assemblyman.

We are planning to hold a public ceramah on the scandal on the coming Sunday in Pandamaran. We will intensify our campaign until Zakaria was removed as a state assemblyman of Port Kelang. Please follow the latest development of the scandal at dapmalaysia.org or ronnieliutiankhiew.wordpress.com.