DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has accused pro-Umno supporters of being behind the attack at a DAP function in Masai, Johor, yesterday.

Lim described the thugs as “desperados” out to divert the attention of the public from the explosive 1MDB scandal.

He pointed to the latest report on Wall Street Journal which claimed that RM2.6 billion of funds from 1MDB were siphoned into the private accounts of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak just before the May 2013 national polls.

Najib has denied the allegations, saying he would never betray Malaysians or Malaysia.

Lim ( photo ) said the group who attacked Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang had used the incident as a tactic to divert attention from the 1MDB scandal.

He also cited Umno’s internal crisis where Najib is having a spat with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed who has asked the PM to resign and explain the 1MDB fiasco.

“Do not divert attention from questions over why Najib would not sue WSJ or Mahathir,” Lim said at a press conference today.

“If it were me, I would have taken legal action immediately to clear my name.

“However, if Najib sues WSJ, please do not forget to sue Mahathir as well as he had blamed the latter for sabotaging him,” he added.

Disrespect towards the Ibans

Meanwhile, Lim said in attacking DAP leaders, Umno has shown their disrespect towards the Ibans, who live in the area, and who patronised the coffee-shop.

It is learnt that DAP held the event in the coffee-shop as part of their programme to reach out to the indigenous community who are living and working in Johor.

“Such disrespect would become an issue with the Ibans in Sarawak,” Lim said.

The Penang chief minister reminded that such “gangsterly acts” by Umno was not new as party supporters had also barged violently into the state legislative assembly building in May last year.

The group had aggressively entered the building in search for Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer ( photo ) for allegedly insulting the Malays and Islam by uttering the word “Umno celaka”.

“They insulted democracy, the state legislative assembly, they insulted the voters and the constitution,” Lim recalled.

He said Umno must apologise for the actions in Johor as they have also tarnished the holy month of Ramadan.

Lim said such behaviour is unacceptable as it threatens democracy, rule of law and the security of parliamentarians and assemblypersons.

“Umno today does not respect the Parliament, state or federal institutions,” Lim said.

The thugs - who wore red t-shirts - prevented DAP veteran Kit Siang ( photo ) from speaking during the event dubbed the 'Kopitiam Dialogue' series.

It is learnt that similar events in the past have been held without any untoward incidents.

Kluang MP Liew Ching Tong alleged that he was “strangled” before a commotion erupted in the coffee-shop.

Liew said policemen at the scene managed to control the situation, and advised the group of men to disperse, while the DAP aborted their forum due to public safety.