PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli believes resolving the violence at Low Yat Plaza is more important than the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) controversy, at least for now.

Speaking to reporters today, he expressed concern if the issue is not tackled well, it would further harm race-relations in the country.

"The priority to defuse this now is even bigger than 1MDB.

"Because for 1MDB, the prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) simply has to answer (the allegations). Race relations is very delicate, we should not allow any room for people to manipulate," he said.

Admitting that his opinion might differ from other opposition MPs, Rafizi stressed that the matter should be resolved first.

Several reporters and a bar staff were hurt last night after a gathering near the mall turned rowdy.

The brawl last night was in response to an earlier fight on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Rafizi said Najib should not think that what had occurred here would divert attention away from 1MDB.

"It won't happen. The 1MDB issue is so big, it will come back to haunt Najib. When things have calmed down, Najib won't be able to run away from the issue. I will make sure it comes back," he said.

'No need to fan racial tensions'

Several opposition MPs earlier conducted press conferences in front of the mall's entrance today.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad ( photo ) denounced what he said were efforts to turn the incident into a racial one.

"The incident occurred due to problems to an otherwise normal (business) transaction which could have been solved by the authorities.

"There's no need to fan racial tensions," he said, urging social media users to cease spreading photographs which were not related to the incident.

Khalid nevertheless expressed confidence that Malaysians would not let themselves be used in "hidden agendas" to divert the rakyat's attention away from other important matters.

He also hit out demonstrators last night whom, he said, had sullied Islam's name when they yelled out racist slurs. 

"Islam rejects racism. Those who ‘takbir’ (shout Allah is great) while yelling racist slurs are damaging the image of Islam. This is not jihad. This is against Islamic teachings," he said.

Anxiety evoked

His party colleague, Kuala Krai MP Mohd Hatta Ramli, also said that the incident could be used by irresponsible quarters to evoke anxiety among the people.

"We hope sanity will prevail and we also hope that the authorities would do what is expected of them to solve this issue," he said.

DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok ( photo ) meanwhile said since the mall was a tourist attraction, there should be a larger police presence so that tourists would not be scared to enter the mall.

"I also urge netizens to spread messages of love to calm the situation," she said.

Meanwhile, MCA Youth chairperson Chong Sin Woon also held a press conference at the mall an hour later.

Stressing that it was not a "Chinese against the Malays" issue, Chong said demonstrators had merely tried to look like heroes when uttering racial remarks.

"I urge the police to take action against them. Majority of people prefer peace and harmony, only the minority love to play with racism.

"Enough is enough. Let it end here at Low Yat," he said.

Related reports

Bukit Bintang is safe for all, police declare

Rafizi: Defusing racial tension more important than 1MDB

PAS: Don't let Low Yat distract from 'bigger issues'

Stop racialising Low Yat fracas, say PAS and DAP

Mob violence near Low Yat Plaza, several hurt

Low Yat Plaza: Not different, just empty

 

Geramm condemns attack on journalists