Mob made up of 'Umno gangsters', says CM

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has condemned the angry mob who chased anti-Sedition Act protestors from the Speakers’ Corner in Esplanade yesterday, describing the aggressive group as “samseng-samseng Umno” (Umno gangsters).

 

Lim said that the protesters from Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) were merely planning to express their views about the Act.

 

The 1948 law, a legacy of the British colonial rule, was applied to at least 20 individuals including opposition politicians, academics, activists, students, preacher and a journalist, since Merdeka Day on Aug 31.

 

"One of the protestors who were chased away by the pro-Sedition Act group was former Penang cabinet member Toh Kin Woon," the DAP secretary-general said at a press conference today. 

 

Toh, who was Gerakan's Machang Bubuk assemblyman prior to 2008, is currently the Bersih coordinator for Penang and the Northern region.

 

“Abusive and racist words were used during the incident, like ‘babi’ (pig) and Yahudi (Jews). This is something very dangerous. I strongly condemn these acts,” said Lim.

 

Lim said he strongly condemned the “rude” behaviour by the mob, urging the police to act accordingly on those who threatened the peaceful gathering.

 

The noisy group, who included members of Umno Youth from Tanjong and Persatuan Mukabuku Pulau Pinang, also harassed, heckled and chased out other protestors like Suaram Penang coordinator Ong Jing Cheng, Aliran's Prema Devaraj and a British couple who happened to drop by at the rally.

 

GHAH members had claimed that several policemen were present but did not stop the fracas.

The policemen were seen escorting the GHAH members when they were being chased out of the field but the later said the force should have done more to protect the freedom of speech of both sides, but that did not happen.