The Election Commission (EC) today condemned what it described as unruly behaviour by certain people at the ‘ Janji Demokrasi ’ (Promise of Democracy) gathering in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of Merdeka Day, and said such conduct was not the right way to seek to improve the electoral process.

NONE EC secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said those people had acted in a rude and uncivilised manner and their actions did not at all reflect the culture of courteous Malaysians.

"The EC views the stepping on photographs of the national leader and insulting the national flag during the gathering as the organiser's way of encouraging young people to be unruly," he said in a statement.

Improvement to the electoral process could not be done through such unruly behaviour at gatherings, he said, adding that the EC would be implementing many improvements in the 13th general election which were agreed through discussions with various quarters.

He was commenting on the behaviour of several participants of last Thursday's ‘ Janji Demokrasi ’ gathering who stepped on photographs of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and waved a flag which was claimed would replace the national flag.

Kamaruddin said the EC welcomed the efforts by the authorities to take immediate action against the individuals involved, and ensure that no one acted arbitrarily to tarnish the EC's image.

Not our culture

In Alor Setar, Kedah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah called for tough legal action against the individuals involved in the unruly behaviour.

NONE He said in a statement that they resorted to such behaviour because the Home Ministry was seen to be soft in its approach to handling the matter, thus making the culprits become bolder.

"In several cases of extreme behaviour against the country and its leaders in the past, the Home Ministry was seen to be soft despite a public outcry for action.

"This has to stop. The harshest measure is most necessary," he said.

In Tawau, Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan said he feared that the incident of young people stepping on the photographs of the nation's leader and insulting the national flag were the beginnings for the sparking of chaos in the country.

The Apas assemblyperson and Tawau Umno Division chief said the behaviour of the youngsters were alien to Malaysians and should be checked right away for the sake of peace and harmony in the country.

"This culture does not reflect our values in Malaysia. It is imported and not good. Our youngsters must be wary and not get influenced by such a culture," he told reporters after opening the Tawau Wanita Umno delegates meeting.

Tawfiq said many of the youngsters of today were born in a progressive country and lived comfortably and were thus easily influenced by irresponsible people.

He advised youngsters to emulate the noble values handed down by the past generations which helped to maintain peace and earned Malaysia the respect of the world community.

- Bernama