Gerakan Wanita has urged the government to follow the footsteps of Singapore and China by cracking down on protests.

Citing Low Yat incident, Bersih 4 and red-shirt rallies as examples, its chief Tan Lian Hoe ( photo ) said certain leaders have been using the social media to instigate people to join demonstrations.

"I believe this would not happen in Singapore and China. No nonsense in those countries.

"When Bersih 4 went viral around the world, the Singapore government gave a serious warning to the Malaysian people that 'if you want to demonstrate, go to your native country, don't play with fire in Singapore'.

"Malaysian government should emulate these two countries to put the economy and peace as priorities, among others," she said in her speech at Gerakan national delegates conference in Selangor today.

Tan also slammed certain ministers who backed racially-charged counter protests.

"As cabinet ministers, shouldn't they bear in mind that they are ministers and deputy ministers for all?

"The people felt ashamed and hatred for these cabinet members' childish, unprofessional, emotional and revengeful behavior," she chastised.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman ( photo ) has earned brickbats from BN component parties including MCA and Gerakan, for his " slap Chinese " remark.

Earlier this year, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who called for boycott against Chinese traders, also received strong criticism from BN component parties.

Despite relentless demands of apology from all quarters, the duo refused to bow down.

Don't repeat tragedies like in Syria, Libya

Tan also rued that the opposition has been instigating the people to hate the government when the country is facing an economic downturn.

"The people are facing the rising cost of living and the ringgit keeps depreciating. One of the reasons for this is the instability in the country.

"Do we wish to live in turmoil like Syria, Libya and Egypt? Do we wish to be like Rohingya refugees, who sought asylum due to political instability in their country?" she said.

Tan urged the government to take moderate action to “extinguish” the fire being played up by the extremists.

"Gerakan Wanita believes that if the government is able to carry out moderate, just and transparent policies with integrity, the people will support the government again," she said.