The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) has backed the police's decision to ban the red shirts demonstration on Sept 16, stating the country's economy could not afford such provocative rallies.
"Such rallies will have an impact on the country's security as the racially provocative slogans used will not only spark the fires of animosity among races but also affect the country's economic climate which cannot handle another such crisis.
"The uncertain global economic situation coupled with talks of a racial gathering such as this will contribute to a negative picture of the country's economy and put further pressure on the falling ringgit," said NCCIM secretary-general Syed Hussein Al Habshee in a statement issued today.
The NCCIM comprises the Malay Chambers of Commerce, the Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the Indian Chambers of Commerce, the Malaysian International Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Manufacturers Malaysia.
Syed Hussein said NCCIM viewed the situation seriously and warned that if the situation was not controlled, it would hurt the investor sentiment towards the country.
"NCCIM is seriously concerned with this situation and if it not contained in the early stages, it will not only have a negative impact on the country's economy but will also hurt business sentiment.
"In turn, this will affect the inflow of foreign capital and the tourism sector will also be adversely impacted," he noted.
Police say no
The red shirts rally is to counter to Bersih 4 rally on Aug 29 and 30 which called for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign over various allegations against him.
However, the planned red shirts protest has taken a racial tone with the organisers accusing the Bersih 4 protest ( photo ) of being Chinese-dominated and urging a Malay counter-protest on Sept 16.
Some Umno leaders, including Federal Territories Youth chief Razlan Muhammad Raffi and Permatang Pauh chief Zaidi Mohd Said, have expressed support for the planned rally.
Yesterday, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police would not allow the protest due to security concerns.
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