Red Shirts threaten riot over failure to stop fake-goods trade

KUALA LUMPUR — The organisers of a large pro-government protest with strong racial overtones yesterday said that the authorities’ failure to take action against Petaling Street traders allegedly selling fake goods will force “them to return there this Saturday and possibly carry out a riot”, after the Kuala Lumpur City Hall declined their application to hold a second rally this weekend.

Mr Jamal Md Yunus, one of the main organisers of the planned rally claimed that as many as 5,000 people are ready to gather at the tourist hot spot, also commonly known as Chinatown, should the government fail to move in.

“If the authorities do not take action, then 99 per cent chance that they will return there. They may even riot,” he told reporters.

The first rally held by the group on Sept 16 — touted as the counter to a massive anti-government rally held last month believed to be attended mainly by Malaysians of Chinese and Indian origin — turned chaotic when a group of protesters attempted to breach the barricade at Petaling Street, forcing police to use water cannon to control the situation.

Chinatown had earlier been declared out of bounds by the authorities, and many businesses had closed that day out of fear of any untoward incidents. The rally saw Chinese Malaysians being called “babi” (pigs) and told to “balik Cina” (go back to China).

Placards with slogans such as “Malaysia belongs to the Malays”, “Defend Malay rights”, and “Get rid of SJKC”, referring to Chinese vernacular schools were also sighted during the event.

Mr Jamal later said the rally goers were upset over the “immunity” Petaling Street traders enjoyed, with no action taken against them for operating illegal businesses. He also accused them of selling counterfeit products and pornographic videos.

Mr Jamal, who is a politician from ruling party United Malays National Organisation, insisted that the plan to gather outside Petaling Street this weekend was not racially motivated, but went on to accuse Chinese traders of racism by allegedly monopolising Petaling Street.

“They (Chinese traders) have already said that they don’t want to share the space but I would like to remind them that it was the (Malay) army that helped us achieve independence and the fruit of this struggle was shared equally with all.”

Kuala Lumpur city police chief Tajuddin Isa yesterday vowed to take stern action against any protesters threatening the public peace this weekend, adding that police may also arrest the organisers of the planned rally if necessary.

“Police will take action to ensure peace is maintained,” Mr Tajuddin told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Earlier yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders’ association chairman Ang Say Tee poured scorn on Mr Jamal’s remarks, saying that even the Malays were laughing at the latter.

“What will people think? You can’t just simply say you want, and we hand it to you. The Malays are also laughing at his suggestion,” said Mr Ang.

He added that Mr Jamal should not make sweeping statements about the alleged “immunity” enjoyed by traders at the popular tourist spot, pointing out that the authorities conducted enforcement operations in the area periodically, the latest being last week.

In Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Hari Raya Haji message yesterday evening, he called for Muslims in the country to unite and work together regardless of political affiliation.

Partisanship, he said, would only weaken the unity of Muslims and would undermine their strength and dignity.

The Premier added that Malaysians must also “be moderate in all matters.”

“Islam teaches us peace, unity and equality. Therefore, Muslims should respect other religions to create a harmonious society and country,” he said.