The leader of an umbrella body of Chinese associations in the Klang Valley has called on the community to ignore vociferous Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali.

NONE Describing him as a "political clown" who is desperate for publicity, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) president Tan Yew Sing (left) said Ibrahim has been given too much attention already.

“He only represents a very small organisation and what he said was just to get attention,” said Tan when contacted today.

"It is not necessary for the Chinese community to bother too much about this political clown.”

Tan was referring to Ibrahim’s comment that he believes “the Chinese community, many of them, will have to stock up on food at home” should the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally for election reform proceed as planned.

He also said KLSCAH will focus on the issue of freedom of assembly as guaranteed by the federal constitution.

"We demand that the government protects the people’s freedom to assemble as long as the assembly is peaceful and reasonable. This is part of a democratic society.

"Our focus should be on showing to the government and police that the people can exercise their rights responsibly. The people are mature enough to practise democracy.”

However, he was sufficiently disturbed with Ibrahim’s remark to call for action over the threat which, he said, could jeopardise racial harmony.

The KLSCAH is the biggest Chinese-based organisation in the Klang Valley, representing nearly 400 associations and guilds in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

‘Just a nobody’

MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai shared Tan’s view, brushing off Ibrahim's warning as “nonsense”.

NONE “Why do you (the media) want to report his statement? He’s just a nobody who always talks nonsense,” he said when door-stopped in the Parliament lobby today.

The PAS Muslimat (women’s wing), however, has vowed to mobilise its members nationwide to attend the Bersih 2.0 rally.

In a statement today, information chief Aiman Athirah Jundi argued that peaceful demonstrations provide a responsible and orderly way to channel public anger and disgruntlement about the electoral system.

Aiman urged the inspector-general of police to immediately engage with Bersih 2.0 so that the rally can proceed peacefully.

EC prepared to meet Bersih if it scraps rally

Khairy: 'Chinese stay home' warning is seditious

Bar Council: Use Sedition Act against Ibrahim Ali

Gov't must put its foot down on Perkasa, says Kit Siang

KJ: Umno Youth will rally, even if police disagree

DAP: Inaction on Perkasa shows Umno's true colours

Gerakan in a dilemma over Bersih rally

MCA members warned against joining Bersih 2.0

Anwar: Bersih remark taken out of context

Nazri: No formal complaints on phantom voters

Bersih must march on undaunted

Neither Anwar nor Ambiga can stop Bersih rally

It's clear, Ibrahim Ali out to create chaos