Don't make Johor a circus, says ex-MB after fight at Muda event

Johor BN chief Hasni Mohammad has spoken out against alleged “political thuggery” in the state, following another round of commotion at a Muda event in Muar last night.

Taking to Twitter, the former menteri besar said such acts should not be made a norm ahead of official campaigns for the 15th general election (GE15) which will begin after nomination day on Nov 5.

“I believe the people want the democratic process to be carried out maturely, especially in Johor.

“This (political thuggery) culture should not be a practice in this general election,” said Hasni.

“Campaign and get the people’s votes with care.

“Do not turn Johor into a circus. We should be better than this,” he stressed.

Last night, a fight appeared to have taken place at a Muda dinner event held at the Yong Sheng banquet hall in Muar after a group of men wearing hoodies, caps, and face masks showed up and started throwing bottles and firecrackers into the crowd at a parking lot.

Sabah Muda chairperson Amos Thien was injured during the fight and there were cars damaged as well.

Muda president and incumbent Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman posted several videos of the incident on Twitter, which depicted two groups of people talking to each other before one group started shouting “Who are you?” and that they reject Muda.

Muar police are investigating the incident under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

On Oct 16, a “Mega Muar” ceramah hosted by Muda was also briefly interrupted by a group of rowdy youths.

Bersih condemns violence

Meanwhile, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) strongly condemned violence and acts of hooliganism toward political rivals.

“Violent and hooligan culture cannot be part of a clean and free election culture. These acts are a form of negative campaigning and extreme provocation.

“Elections are for parties to contest based on ideas, policies, manifestos, and actions to help the people. Negative campaigning must be rejected by all Malaysians.

“Let’s not be intimidated and get out to vote to reject political violence,” said Bersih in a statement.

The group added that violence and hooliganism can be considered an election offence under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954.

Promoting feelings of ill-will or hostility is also an offence under the Penal Code, it added.

If convicted, a person can be imprisoned for up to five years, or fined up to RM10,000, or both, Bersih said.

The electoral watchdog called on all peace-loving Malaysians who want a more positive and healthy campaign to strongly condemn and reject any form of violence and hooliganism regardless of which party they are from.

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