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KUALA TERENGGANU (May 12, 2010): The Melayu Bangkit programme, originally scheduled for tomorrow at the Gong Badak indoor stadium here to mark the 41st anniversary of the May 13 incident, has been postponed to a date which will be determined later.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been scheduled to attend the gathering, organised by the Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Gertak) with the Terengganu Integrity Institute.
The institute’s director, Arpin Draman, said the gathering has been postponed because of unforeseen circumstances, including the aspect of safety.
Arpin said “certain parties” have misunderstood the reason for the gathering because of its “controversial” date.
He clarified that Melayu Bangkit was chosen as the rally’s theme to attract participation, particularly from the youths, the majority of whom, he said, have lost their “identity”.
Earlier, a minister, a group and several political parties criticised the planned gathering.
In Putrajaya, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the gathering was provocative and unnecessary.
He said the police should not issue a permit for the gathering, which had expected to draw some 10,000 people, including members of 45 Malay NGOs.
“Why do they have to choose that date? It is provocative. And, the gathering is unnecessary because the Malays are not under threat. If they said there were threats, they were imaginary,” he told theSun’s Husna Yusop.
“It doesn’t help at all towards the promotion of our 1Malaysia concept. I say it is unnecessary regardless who is coming to the programme.”
At a a press conference at the customs headquarters also in Putrajaya, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he was not aware of the Melayu Bangkit programme.
“I don’t know about that. You have to ask Terengganu (police). I have not been informed,” he said.
However, Terengganu police chief SAC I Datuk Shukri Dahalan said there there will be intense police presence to monitor the gathering, if it takes place.
He told theSun’s Charles Ramendran no police permit is required as the gathering is held in an indoor stadium.
Shukri said police will keep a close watch and action will be taken if the those who turn up gather outside the stadium.
“We will be there to monitor the situation and if the crowd spills out of the place, we will act.” he said.
Asked if police will take action if there were sensitive, racist or seditious statements made during the gathering, Shukri said police will have to gauge the situation. He urged those who may come across such statements to lodge police reports.
He declined further comment.
> ‘Don’t frighten people’
Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Selangor said the proposed gathering should be rejected.
AMK chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin said in a statement the event will create an unpleasant atmosphere “because May 13 is one dark incident which should no longer be used to frighten people”.
“We urge the people not to be trapped and influenced by the narrow racial tactic used solely for political interests,” he said.
“What should become priority now is how our mult-iracial society cooperates to create a harmonious atmosphere to bring about change and prosperity to the nation.”
> Don’t even consider it: MCA
MCA Central Committee member Loh Seng Kok said rallies which re-ignite the old wounds of May 13 “must be permanently decimated and never even considered to begin with”.
In a statement, Loh, who is also the deputy chairman of the MCA publicity bureau, said NGOs would achieve more for nation-building and instilling mutual trust among the communities if they radiate harmony and friendship and treat all Malaysians as fellow citizens.
> ‘Unite all instead of one race’
Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the party condemned any move to use May 13 to organise activities which could provoke racial tension.
He said Gerakan was against the planned gathering because it could lead to racial disharmony.
“We have no objections if activities are being organised on May 13 for all races to show unity as a united nation. There is no need to hold a gathering to show unity of only one race on this black day,” he said in a statement.
Chang urged the government to take action to stop any group from holding such gatherings.
> Denounce plan, PM urged
In Sibu, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and the cabinet to denounce the plan to hold the gathering in Kuala Terengganu.
He said the proposed gathering was extremely insensitive.
“In line with the 1Malaysia concept, the prime minister should take a stand against all forms of extremism and intolerance,” he told reporters.
In George Town, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the move to hold the gathering “irresponsible”. He said the May 13 incident should not be commemorated but condemned. — theSun
