The Penang government has condemned the actions of pro-ISA protestors who attempted to disrupt an Anti-ISA forum today, as “Umno stooges” who failed to respect the people’s right to assemble peacefully.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 ng wei aik opening speech Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik ( left ) said the group, who tried to break up the forum around the theme “A political tool of oppression” organised by civil society groups, should show some respect and not disrupt panel speakers in the midst of presenting their views.

He condemned the protest as “more violent than the Act (ISA) itself”.

Ng, who is Penang DAP Socialist Youth secretary, said although both sides of the political divide could express their different views, it was ultimately the people who would decide whether the ISA be retained or repealed.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 event continue “The silent majority will decide this at the general election,” he said, when met at the forum venue at Komtar Walk in Penang.

Ng suggested that the pro-ISA protestors could put up candidates at the general election, as independent candidates or as candidates under the patronage of Umno.

He also criticised the police for not taking action against the protestors despite officers at the police station in Jalan Pattani having been of the incident, adding that none turned up during the ruckus.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 book launch “What is even more ridiculous is that they asked me ‘Where is Komtar Walk’?”

Ng added that the police had informed that there were more than 10 special branch officers observing the event.        

“They should also play their role to ensure that this program runs smoothly instead of being disturbed by the protestors,” he added.

‘Police not professional’

As for the Komtar Merchant Association’s (KMA) involvement in the rally, Ng said that its vice-chief Abdul Ghani Mohamad Jiman who was at the forefront of the protest should instead look after the interests of the traders that KMA represents.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 umno youth “Instead he has come here to disturb other people’s event; how is he going to defend the traders after this? He is supposed to be a businessman,” he said.

PAS vice-president Mohammed Sabu, who was one of the panellists, also expressed his disappointment over the police’s inaction.

“Imagine if this were an Umno forum, and we are the protestors breaking up the session, how would the police act?” he said.

“The police are not professional,” he added.

When contacted, Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Teong Keong condemned the protestors, saying his party does not support “political violence”.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 umno youth violence Oh said that he had telephoned Norman, who was at the protest, regarding his participation but said that the latter had claimed he was present in the capacity of an NGO representative, not as Umno Youth.

“If we have different views to express, we can always express it in a peaceful manner,” said Oh.

At around 11.30 this morning about 50 people from the Komtar trading area along with Penang Umno Youth staged a rally at the premises to counter the forum discussing the ISA.

The 'pro-ISA' protestors - led by Abdul Ghani and Penang Umno Youth chief Norman Dhalan - were later invited on stage for about 10 minutes to express their views.