The actions of the individuals during the mob interruption of a DAP event in Johor should be condemned immediately. Lim Kit Siang, MP for Gelang Patah, was unhurt even though objects were thrown at his direction but Liew Chin Tong, MP for Kluang, was physically roughed up in the incident. Liew could also recognise some of the people involved as members of the Pasir Gudang Umno division. Several DAP Socialist Youth leaders were also witness to the incident.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor should condemn these protesters, of whom many have been recognised as members of his political party, and launch an immediate disciplinary hearing as well as allow the police to carry out fair investigations into the incident. He has after all on the June 21, 2015 been reported to say that:

“We are in a country with laws, so it doesn’t matter if you are in Umno or DAP or any other party, you must obey the law.”

and

“Do not take the law into your own hands.”

The above quotes were made in relations to the burning of the DAP flags in Komtar last month. If the Umno secretary-general believes strongly in the law, he must own up to his own words and condemn the individuals involved. The authorities must also be unbiased and investigate the individuals involved in the scuffle for criminal battery.

Should no Umno supreme council leader condemn the actions by these individuals, the Malaysian public should then interpret it as a silent endorsement. As a DAP Youth leader myself, this would a sad revelation for the future of the youths of Malaysia as a federal ruling party must make a stand for the morals that they claim to possess. Is this the example that Umno wants to show the young people of Malaysia?

The people of Malaysia want to see justice if any form of criminal conduct is found no matter what political beliefs one adheres to.

Umno must no longer play the silent game and take full responsibility for their actions, they owe that to the people of Malaysia.

The ball is now in Umno’s court, will they act on the incident or pretend that nothing ever happened?

CHRIS LEE CHUN KIT is Penang Dapsy state deputy chief and an MBPP councillor.