KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today held up the deadly violence that wracked Egypt yesterday as a warning of what “some people” wished to replicate here, in a veiled reference to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
The former prime minister alluded to the Malaysian opposition’s penchant for street protests and noted that such a phenomenon in Egypt had led to lethal clashes between the Egyptian army and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi that left hundreds dead yesterday.
“Some people would like to see this thing happen here then they can bring the government down but I think Malaysians are less emotional,” Dr Mahathir (picture) told reporters after attending a forum of Palestinian liberation NGOs.
The former prime minister had in the past accused the opposition of coup attempts through street demonstrations, saying some elements within the PR bloc are trying to recreate the "Arab Spring" here after several middle east governments were ousted through mass protests.
Dr Mahathir, whose 22-year administration was known for its tight control on dissent, added that Malaysians would have to pay the price if they wanted to enjoy a more liberal brand of democracy which also entails freedom to take the streets.
He also hinted that the absence of preventive laws could lead to the chaos similar to what is currently taking place in Egypt, citing the recent spates of shootings as an example.
"I think Malaysians are nice people, they don't like killing each other except that killings nowadays are more frequent. Everyday somebody gets shot.
"But that's the price of freedom. The price of being free is you must accept..the price of freedom, of liberalism, of being able to say what you like the price is people get killed, people get shot," he said.
Dr Mahathir has been one of the most strongest critics against the Najib administration's move to abolish preventive laws.
The former prime minister believed such laws are still needed to maintain order. He has blamed the worsening racial tension in Malaysia on the absence of the laws.
Recently, Dr Mahathir has joined the growing chorus of demands for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to reinstate preemptive laws following a spike in crime and gun-related violence.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had blame the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance for the rise in crime but rights groups and the opposition dismissed the suggestion as an excuse to restore draconian laws.
The government denied the allegation while Najib vowed to introduce new legal provisions to deal with crime without infringing on human rights.
