KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — An opposition lawmaker told Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today that it was the anti-Bersih “red shirt” protesters who were more likely to be under the influence of drugs than those planning to join the Bersih 4 rally tomorrow.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad also questioned the Umno minister’s claim that the “silent majority” supported the government and told Tengku Adnan to guarantee that demonstrators at Bersih 4 would not be harassed by the police, as well as to encourage those who disagree with the government to participate in the overnight rally.

“Then we see where the ‘silent majority’ stands. As for the influence of drugs, the red shirts seem to fit this description better,” Khalid told Malay Mail Online.

Anti-Bersih protesters, who wore red shirts in their recent “self-defence” preparation for the Bersih 4 rally, were shown in a video by news portal The Rakyat Post growling and jumping up and down on the floor, hitting each other with sticks and breaking wood on their heads.

In an interview with Malay Mail Online yesterday, Tengku Adnan compared the Bersih 4 rally to the Low Yat riot, cautioning against the possibility of protesters marching under the influence of drugs, much like the suspects of the tech mall brawl incident last month.

The Federal Territories minister, who is also Umno secretary-general, said the “silent majority” was bigger than those who take part in street demonstrations, dismissing protesters as empty tins that make the most noise.

PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said the race riot at Low Yat Plaza last month had no connection with the overnight Bersih 4 rally, organised by polls reform group Bersih 2.0 this weekend in the city centre, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Kuching in Sarawak, and other cities across the world.

“We have been consistent in our position against instigators and provocateurs. Meanwhile, I haven’t observed the secretary-general of Umno taking a position against Umno-linked aggressors or bloggers in connection to the Low Yat incident,” Nurul Izzah told Malay Mail Online.

DAP’s Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua pointed out that 53 per cent of the population voted against Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 13th general election.

“The anger and frustration against BN has only increased over the past year to unprecedented levels. Hence, if he is referring to a silent majority, it is a majority who wants BN out,” Pua told Malay Mail Online.