The National Indian Rights Action Team (Niat) has declared that they, together with other NGOs, will be handing over a memorandum to the Agong following Umno leaders’ “threats” made on the May 13 racial clash.

NONE Niat chairperson Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim ( right ) said yesterday that the urgent action of coming up with a memorandum was triggered by the latest remarks by Umno Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil in the recently concluded Umno general assembly, who warned that there may be a recurrence of May 13 if Pakatan  Rakyat comes to power.

The memorandum will call on the Agong to summon the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the police force to look into the threats posed by Umno leaders, and request the head of government to ensure that if Pakatan wins Putrajaya in the upcoming general election, the transition of power would be smooth and vice versa.

Another request will be for the Agong to advise the people and the leaders to contest with the spirit of Malaysia and to respect the will of people even if it does not favour the current ruling government.

“The memorandum titled ‘Freedom to Exercising Parliamentary Democratic Rights of Voting without Fear and Threats’ is still being drafted as we are summarising all the speeches from the Umno leaders,” said Thasleem during a press conference yesterday.

A letter had been sent by Niat on Nov 3 to Shahrizat requesting her to apologise within seven days for her remark.

The letter was also addressed to BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak, PKR president Wan Azizah Ismail, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Memo to be endorsed by around 200 NGOs

Niat secretary D Arun expected that the memorandum will be endorsed by around 200 NGOs of different ethnic groups.

Thasleem described the May 13 remarks made by Shahrizat and Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin in their speeches during the Umno general assembly as “unreasonable” and “infringing” on the democratic rights of the people.

Shahrizat reportedly said that the Malays should remain united in order for them to retain political power, warning that the loss of power could lead to another racial riot similar to that of May 13.

 

Muhyiddin said that if Pakatan was to come to power, it would lead to chaos because the opposition parties have different ideologies.

“We would also request the IGP and police to look into the threats and investigate if there are any underground activities happening in line with the May 13 (threats),” said Arun.

Niat has also requested for a royal commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate and reveal the facts of the May 13 tragedy back in 1969 as the details of the riot have not been made public.