A forum in Kluang on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and racial politics last night was cancelled after the speakers found the venue completely dark and sealed with red and white barrier tape.

 

The reason for the closure of the venue, a restaurant, was unknown, but Umno Youth on Wednesday threatened to hold a demonstration against the forum it claimed is “racist”.

 

Restoran Tepi Sungai Jamilah was found closed when the speakers arrived around 8.15pm, said forum organiser Sheikh Omar Ali.

 

"About 60 to 70 people were there, half of them were our supporters while the others were Umno members and police,” said Sheikh Omar, who represents youth group LayPark@Kluang.

 

He said he suspects the 30-odd people were from Umno Youth because “they looked suspicious” and had “stared at the (organisers) in a weird way”.

 

Johor Umno Youth vice chief Khairul Anwar Rahmat, who yesterday claimed he would be present at the demonstration was not there, Sheikh Omar said.

 

Roadblocks around venue

 

Sheikh Omar, who is also aide to DAP’s Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, said four roadblocks were held at different roads leading to the restaurant.

 

"I am from Kluang. We seldom see roadblocks here...they (the police) did not say what the roadblocks were for," he said.

 

With the forum scuttled, Sheikh Omar blamed Khairul Anwar for "not (being a) gentleman".

 

"He said they wanted to protest racism. Our forum title was 'Anti GST and racial politics'. He should join us, not to stop us," the Johor PAS Youth member lamented.

 

The restaurant finally opened its doors again at 11.30pm, but by then, the organisers had decided to postpone the forum until after the Permatang Pauh by-election polling day on May 7. 

 

The forum was to feature four DAP speakers, including three assemblypersons Wong Shu Qi (Senai), Tan Hong Ping (Mengkibol) and Ee Chin Li (Tangkak).