Police are searching for the thugs that attacked a DAP function in a coffeeshop in Masai, Johor yesterday.
They are identifying those responsible for the attack aimed to prevent DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang from speaking, according to a Star Online report.
The event was part of Johor DAP's ongoing 'Kopitiam Dialogue' series. Similar events in the past have been held without any untoward incidents.
The report quoted Seri Alam acting OCPD Deputy Supt Norazam Saari saying that a group of men clad in red t-shirts disrupted the function when another speaker, Kluang MP Liew Ching Tong, started to talk on Umno-related issues.
"A brief commotion broke out as the group of men tried to stop the MP from talking further.
"Policemen at the scene managed to control the situation. They advised the group of men to disperse and stopped the DAP forum for the public's safety," he was quoted saying in a statement.
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that the group of about 50 people stormed the DAP function and began hurling projectiles - cups, plastic bowls and even a broom – at Lim.
According to eyewitnesses, Lim, who is the DAP parliamentary leader, was unhurt, but those who formed a shield to protect him were.
‘Political hooliganism’ condemned
Meanwhile Johor State Assembly Opposition Leader and Skudai Assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau condemned the violence and political hooliganism against Lim and Liew, who is DAP Johor State chairperson.
He said it was cowardly, barbaric, and an insult to the constitutional right of freedom of speech.
Boo ( photo ) said he believed BN is afraid of the truth being told to the people by DAP, and BN and Umno forces were trying to stop its series of peaceful coffee shop forums.
"The unexpected violent interruption of yesterday's coffee shop forum proved that BN and Umno are wary of the erosion of people's support for them, after the implementation of GST and the exposure of the 1MDB scandal," he said in a statement.
Boo also urged the police to carry out immediate investigations and take severe legal action against those who violently disrupted the coffee shop forum, without fear or favour.
He also stressed that the DAP will carry on its struggle everywhere through peaceful and resilient means, inside and outside Parliament and state assemblies, in the streets and coffee shops.
This is to bring about democratic change in Malaysia, by conveying the truth to the people of all races and social classes, he explained.
'Police were told in advance'
Meanwhile Johor Jaya assemblyperson Liow Chai Tung, who helped organised the dialogue, said they had informed the police of a possible threat before the event started.
In a statement today, she claimed to have received a WhatsApp text yesterday morning, which urged a "jihad" to stop Lim from entering the constituency.
According to Liow, part of the message read: "This (message) is a call to jihad to defend Islam and the Malays.
"As we know, the communist Lim from DAP will be entering our area. As such, we ask all to gather and stop him from entering our area to win Permas in the 14th general election."
The message also called for participants to wear red and gather at a mosque next to the Taman Megah Ria Umno operations room.
