Media Statement by Loke Siew Fook in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 26^th February 2009:

UMNO Youth, hooliganism exemplified: DAPSY strongly condemns UMNO Youth members’ violent behaviour toward Karpal Singh in Parliament

DAPSY is absolutely appalled and outraged by the despicable acts of hooliganism that are carried out enthusiastically by UMNO Youth members in Parliament on February 26. DAP National Chairman and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh was threatened and insulted by UMNO Youth thugs when he tried to enter the tower block in parliament on that day. In addition, a few of those thugs also tried to wrestle with Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who tried to protect Karpal.

Let me reiterate that such unscrupulous, disgraceful behaviour has no place on earth, let alone in Malaysia and in the sacred ground of the Parliament. UMNO Youth has once again showed that they have no interest in civilized dialogue. In UMNO’s rulebook, when you disagree with something, just roll up your sleeves and clench your fists and prepare to draw blood.

UMNO leaders and UMNO Youth leaders have not only refused to condemn the acts of barbarism toward elected representatives last week, namely the sending of live bullets and written death threat to Karpal and the plea for the banishment of Perak State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar, but they have put the blame on Pakatan Rakyat for provocation. Does that mean that UMNO approve of such action? What does UMNO Youth have to say about this latest incident then?

DAPSY strongly condemn these disgusting acts of hooliganism by UMNO Youth. And I challenge UMNO Youth MCA Youth, Gerakan Youth and MIC Youth to state their stand on this issue, and clarify to Malaysians whether or not they approve of such boorish acts.

* Loke Siew Fook, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Chairman & MP for Rasah