Media Statement by Wong Kah Woh in Ipoh on Monday, 2^nd July 2012:

DAP Perak condemns the attempted assault on Penang CM Lim Guan Eng

Democratic Action Party (DAP) Perak condemns the attempted assault on Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng while he was visiting the Teluk Bahang Market. DAP also regrets to note that the police, which was available at the scene of attack, failed to stop the incident from happening.

Since Perkasa's establishment in 2008, they have upset the sensitivity of the various races in Malaysia through their racist remarks. It has worsened now that they have resorted to violence. Recently in Penang during the 26 February Green Gathering, Perkasa assaulted reporters as well as blocked the Chief Minister's car. This time, the attempt to assault Sdr Lim Guan Eng personally has shown how much Perkasa supports the use of thuggish behavior and violence.

Even more shocking to note, the police failed to stop the violence from happening. If not for the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and members that stopped the attacker from Perkasa, we cannot imagine what will happen to Lim.

From Ibrahim Ali's various racist remarks earlier on till the act of violence today, no action whatsoever has been taken by the police. The police have chosen not to see what is clearly happening underneath their noses. This ignorance has allowed Perkasa's violence to be more serious and extreme.

The relationship between Perkasa and UMNO has played a point here. It seems as if the police are condoning Perkasa's actions and Perkasa is exempted from any criminal liability. Being the biggest political ruling party in Malaysia, Najib Razak is shouting 1Malaysia all over the country while on the other hand, he is using Perkasa to sow racial discord among the people.

UMNO has to be responsible for Perkasa's acts of violence today.

Are the coalition partners of UMNO - MCA, Gerakan and MIC daring enough to pressure UMNO to sever all ties with Perkasa and to eradicate the racial remarks and acts of political violence?

* Wong Kah Woh, DAP Perak Publicity Secretary & ADUN for Canning