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Apologise to nation over red-shirts rally, PM told
Published:  Sep 17, 2015 2:40 PM
Updated: 6:51 AM

Lim Kit Siang has called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his cabinet to apologise to Malaysians for their "shameful abdication of responsibility" in allowing Malaysia Day to be desecrated by the red-shirts rally.

"What is there to be proud about the red-shirts rally in Kuala Lumpur when there is everything to be ashamed for a responsible and dedicated prime minister and cabinet who represent Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region, age or gender and not just the prime minister or cabinet for a coterie of people in the country," said the DAP leader.

The Gelang Patah MP pointed out that over 1,000 shopkeepers and traders in Petaling Street, representing over 90 percent of the businesses closed their shops due to safety reasons.

He said that on the eve of Malaysia Day, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) expressed its opposition to the rally due to its racial tone and appealed to the prime minister to take action.

"But Najib only made an empty claim when he said in Kota Kinabalu yesterday that peace, security and racial harmony of the nation are his top priority as he did nothing to allay the legitimate fears of the businesses and traders in Petaling Street so as to persuade them to continue to open for business on Malaysia Day.

"But even more serious, Najib and his cabinet allowed race relations in Malaysia to reach the worst state in 46 years since the May 13 riots in 1969, allowing the most provocative outbursts of anti-Chinese slurs and insults, with the Chinese being called 'babi' (pigs) and told to 'balik Cina' (Go back to China)," he added.

Lim also criticised those who appear to be proud of the rally, when they should be ashamed for allowing such disgraceful actions to blemish the nation.

The red-shirts rally yesterday was organised in response to Bersih 4 and to uphold Malay pride.

This was after photographs emerged showing Chinese participants at Bersih 4 stomping on images of Najib and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

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