Mukhriz backs Hishammuddin, says charging protestors will lead to unrest

Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir threw his support today behind his Umno colleague Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein ‘s for defending the cow-head protestors of Section 23 in Shah Alam.

“The Home Ministry has taken some firm action and it is now up to the police to decide what to do next.

“Measures have to be taken in order to avoid things like this from happening again,” said the son of the former prime minister.

According to Mukhriz, the Home Minister made the right decision in suggesting the protestors should not be penalised.

“We have to avoid incidents that can possibly lead to or cause any racial tension. The issue of race and religion has always been a sensitive issue here in Malaysia,” Mukhriz said, suggesting that a move to charge the protestors would only cause more ‘public unrest.’

He also lashed out at Selangor Pakatan Rakyat and how they were handling the Section 23 issue.

“Barisan National has been handling sensitive issues for 52 years, and we have been handling it well. Selangor Pakatan government is only one year old, and for a new state not to be able to deal with problems that have cropped up in under one term of office, then that says it all.

“Everything that Pakatan Rakyat has said is propaganda in order to gain power. When power is given, they fall apart. Leadership is responsibility,” said Mukhriz.

Last Friday a group claiming to be Muslim residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam, the new site of a Hindu temple, held a demonstration outside the Selangor State Secretariat by dragging a severed cow-head, a sacred animal in Hinduism, which they stomped on and spat at under the presence who the riot police.

The police did not take any action.

The act was carried out by a group of 50 protestors who oppose the relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman Temple to Section 23 from Section 19, claiming that the housing area is predominantly Muslim.

A check last week has since shown that the neighbourhood is multi-racial, with Indians making up more than a quarter of those who live there.

The 150-year old temple was built on a plantation which over the years was developed into housing areas by the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS). No provisions were made to relocate the temple, which currently stands in a Muslim-majority area.

The Home Minister said yesterday that the residents of Section 23 should not be charged as they only wanted their voices to be heard but it was unfortunate that “the publicity they received was negative as it was linked with racial and religious sentiments.”

Hishamuddin’s stand on the matter has been criticized by many, most notably top Pakatan Rakyat leaders who have since called for Hishammuddin to be sacked from the Cabinet.



comments


Unrest???? Mukriz!!!! By charging someone of their wrong doings can create unrest??? What are the police for??? Stop giving stupid excuses and don't treat the public as stupid as your colleagues. Both of you make me believe that you guys are the "dalang" to all these after observing the double standards that you dished out!!!

Mukhriz, you mean to say that those who uttered that blood will flow and there will be racial tension ( as we all saw in the video) if the temple is built SHOULD NOT be punished?

When there are these kind of protest which stoke racial sentiments, the police is suppose to take action to maintain peace and order. In this case, instead of stopping the "trouble" the police just stood by and did nothing. So it is very unfair to blame the present state government. The state administration come under Pakatan Rakyat and the security comes under the Police. The state is administered well.

"Barisan National has been handling sensitive issues for 52 years, and we have been handling it well".
Within this 52 years, there was the May 13, 1969 riot, the Memali incident and the Kampung Medan incident. So dont brag that BN has been handling sensitive issues well.


So he is implying those who shout the loudest, threatening blood and riots can get away scot free because the govt is afraid of them and the PDRM dare not touch them. Hmmmm...very interesting food for thought. Now PR can organize protests in front of his office, kicking a bull by his balls and fiercely demanding he step down or UMNO blood will flow. I laugh! Where did UMNO get all these dimwits?


It just shows how racist UMNO is. All the talk of 1Malaysia is just plain BS.

If UMNO starts it, it's ok. If the Opposition starts it, they'll be locked up with ISA. The AG is buying time now. No action, needs further investigation - for finding reasons NOT to charge the cowprits.

Racist is one slippery slope that cannot be maintained. And eventually falls.
It divides and creates enimity. Just imagine if all races are to be so protective...

UMNO is in denial. The writing on the wall is so clear, even the blind can read.

I salute the brave and truly caring PR for standing up to multi-racialism. This will be the true Malaysia that will sustain us all to be world-class.