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Stop the
double standard practised by the police and the double-talk demonstrated by
the BN government leaders
Press Statement
by Ronnie Liu
(Kuala Lumpur,
Monday):
Acting PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi, who is also the Home Minister, should order the IGP Tan Sri Norian
Mai to explain why the KL police had fired tear gas to disperse the peaceful
anti-war demonstrators last Saturday. The highhandedness shown by the KL
police was shocking and despicable. At that point of time, there were no
less than 20 young children among us. If an adult like me could not
withstand the sharpness of the gas, one could imagine its effect on the
kids.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should
also order Norian Mai to lift the blanket ban on anti-war demonstration
immediately to be in line with the official anti-war position. To disperse
peaceful anti-war demonstrators with tear gas was not only politically
incorrect, it has also marred the image of Malaysia in the eyes of the
world. Only governments that support the American and British aggression in
Iraq would resort to such uncivilised tactics to control anti-war rallies.
The world may start to think that the Malaysian government and its police
were in essence pro-war!
It was also wrong and
insensitive for the UMNO Youth chief Datuk Hishamuddin Hussien to organise a
separate anti-war rally at the same time on the same day, knowing very well
before hand that the Coalition Against Iraqi War has planned for one in
KLCC. Hishamuddin's action was not only seen as a sabotage to the Coalition
Against Iraqi War led by the opposition parties and NGOs, he has also
unwittingly telling the whole world that the Malaysians are divided on the
anti-war effort. To a certain extent, Hishamuddin's action has also
nullified the earlier joint efforts demonstrated by the opposition and the
ruling parties in the Parliament on 2003-03-23 as well as the joint
memorandum presented to the American Ambassador the next day.
This was not the first time
that Hishamuddin has failed to demonstrate his leadership in the anti-war
campaign. While the Coalition Against Iraqi War has held a demonstration
outside the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur besides submitting a memorandum
to its Ambassador Mrs Huttala shortly after the proclamation of ultimatum to
Iraq, Malaysians for Peace under the leadership of Hishamuddin did not want
to do a thing until Last Saturday. So much for his talk on bringing Bush and
Blair to the international court. And so much for sincerity and seriousness
in the chanting of "Give Peace A Chance"!
(31/3/2003)
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Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew,
DAP National Publicity
Secretary
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http://dapmalaysia.org