KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Claims that DAP leaders had criticised Umno and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during the party’s event in Johor yesterday cannot be used to excuse the violent reaction by the group of individuals believed to be members and supporters of the ruling party, Teresa Kok said.
The federal lawmaker noted that the group had reportedly overturned a table, and threw cups, bowls and even a broom at the DAP entourage, which included among others Johor MPs Lim Kit Siang and Liew Chin Tong.
“A Bernama report has reported that approximately 100 Umno supporters were furious over Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong’s statement which allegedly insulted the Malay party and its president Datuk Seri Najib Razak,” Kok, who is DAP’s MP for Seputeh, said in a statement here.
“This cannot be the excuse and cause for the violent incident. What was so offensive for Liew to say that even Umno members were trying to topple Najib?” she asked.
The lawmaker pointed out that Najib himself had pointed out recently that his mentor-turned-critic Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted to topple him using the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy.
She alleged that the attack was likely “pre-planned”, citing the spread of a WhatsApp message before the event that purportedly called on supporters to gather to stop “komunis LKS”, likely in reference to Lim.
During the scuffle yesterday, it was reported that insults like “Babi” (pig), “Balik Kit Siang (Kit Siang must leave)”, “Communist chauvinist” and “mampus” (go die) were yelled out by the unruly group.
Kok urged Najib and the police to take swift action and punish those behind the violent incident.
According to The Star Online today, police are currently investigating the incident and believe that the commotion started during Liew’s speech.
