KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 — Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang came under heavy fire from Twitter users today after he suggested on the micro-blogging site that the Attorney-General (AG) should appeal the High Court’s dismissal of Putrajaya’s suit against Bersih 2.0.

Using his Twitter handle @tankengliang, the politician had written that he found it “illogical” for taxpayers to bear the damages caused by the electoral watchdog’s 2012 rally, which he described as violent.

“Illogical that taxpayers must bear the cost & damages caused by Pakatan Bersih Violent Street Demo 2012,” he said in his tweet.

“Organizer escape. Hope AG appeal case.”

In response, social media users immediately took to the social network site to criticise Tan.

One user with the handle @yvonneAPY said if the AG appeals the case, more taxpayers’ money would be spent.

“@tangkengliang Taxpayers pay more if AG appeal. Do you think the AG team take the case pro bono?” the user said.

Another user using the handle @Nirmalan21 reminded Tan that he had taken a different tone when Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sentenced to jail in his Sodomy II case.

“What happen to the whole ‘respect the Court decision and don’t criticise’ which you peddled for DSAI case,” the user said.

Anwar has since appealed his sentence and the Federal Court is set to deliver its decision this February 10.

User @SangAlgojo reminded Tan that every individual has the right to legal redress.

Another use, @kevleongyuewei, said Bersih 2.0 has already received his “approval” on the rally and told Tan to fuss over other areas where taxpayers’ money is being spent.

“@tangkengliang @bersih3 has my approval to use my tax money.others will agree too i am sure.u shld worry about the money is spent elsewhere,” the user said.

The High Court earlier today dismissed Putrajaya’s bid to get special damages of RM110,543.27 from the then Bersih 2.0’s co-chairs Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, A. Samad Said and 13 other committee members.

On May 23, 2012, the government sued Bersih 2.0 under Section 6 (2)(g) of the PAA, claiming compensation for alleged damages to property — including 15 police vehicles — during the rally.