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Green light given to rally as it wasn’t aimed at toppling govt: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR — The “red shirt” rally in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Sept 16) was given the go-ahead as the event was not aimed at toppling the government unlike another anti-government rally last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said today (Sept 18) as he sought to justify his government’s green light for this week’s racially charged event.

Malaysia Riot Police shot water cannon to Pro-government 'red shirt' protestors as they trying to enter China Town during a pro-government demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sept 16, 2015. Photo: AP

Malaysia Riot Police shot water cannon to Pro-government 'red shirt' protestors as they trying to enter China Town during a pro-government demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sept 16, 2015. Photo: AP

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KUALA LUMPUR — The “red shirt” rally in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Sept 16) was given the go-ahead as the event was not aimed at toppling the government unlike another anti-government rally last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said today (Sept 18) as he sought to justify his government’s green light for this week’s racially charged event.

The pro-government event has been criticised by some to be a front bolstering support for the embattled Prime Minister. It also brought business to a standstill in central Kuala Lumpur as tens of thousands of red-shirted protesters took to the streets to emphasise the dominance of Malays in Malaysia as a challenge to the country’s Chinese- and Indian-origin residents, who participated in large numbers in the anti-government Bersih 4 rally on Aug 29 and 30. 

Mr Najib explained that unlike the Bersih 4 rally, which he had earlier denounced as “shallow-minded” and “demo-crazy”, the Sept 16 “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” had no intention of toppling the government. The earlier event was against the law because it was planned as part of a bid to overturn the administration by demonstrating in a place where preparations were being held for Malaysia’s Independence Day celebration on Aug 31, he added. Even so, the authorities did not stop Bersih 4 from taking place, he said.

“I was told by the police that permission was given (to Wednesday’s rally) because firstly, they had no intention to topple the government; secondly, there was no preparation for any march planned at the location of their demonstration; and thirdly, they received permission from the KL City Hall,” the Prime Minister said in a brief audio clip uploaded on his blog.

Mr Najib stressed, however, that his government would not compromise on the issue of national security and actions that threaten racial sensitivities.

He said this was why the authorities had been forced to use water cannons to disperse those who had attempted to break into restricted areas. The police are also investigating those who spewed racial slurs during the rally on Malaysia Day, Mr Najib said, adding that those found guilty of any wrongdoing will face action under the Sedition Act.

The protest on Wednesday bore witness to incidents involving overt racism, with one attendee caught calling a reporter “Crazy Chinese pig” on tape, among other insults. AGENCIES

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