Race-based protests harm integration, says MCA

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has denounced the racially-laced protest against a proposed luxury condominium at Taman Keramat, saying that such demonstrations harmed racial harmony.

The protest was against the Datum Jelatek project, which the group of residents felt would turn the Malay-dominant area into a “Chinese district”.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said that as far as Barisan Nasional was concerned, interaction between the diffe­rent races was encouraged and housing areas should have a balanced composition of communities.

“In urban development, there are procedures to be followed. There is a stage where residents can voice their grievances. .

“MCA’s stand is that we have to follow the law. Do not take the law into your own hands,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understan­ding at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College here yesterday.

Dr Wee, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali should be addressing this matter since the state was ruled by the Opposition.

Separately, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon said those involved in the protest should be charged under the Sedition Act for inciting racial hatred.

He added that some statements made by those leading the riots were seditious.

“There is a general assumption that the Government only charges those not aligned with it under the Sedition Act and this should not be the case,” he said during a press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Chong also said his movement supported the Selangor State Development Corporation for lodging a police report against the protes­ters at the Datum Jelatek mixed-development project.

Chong said a spokesman from the group of protesters reportedly made a reference to the May 13 riots and alleged that the project could cause an influx of Chinese that might drive away Malays, both of which were seditious.

The protesters also tore down the zinc hoardings around the project and marched into the site on Sunday but the situation was brought under control when police stepped in and told them to disperse.

He said engaging the developer through dialogue to voice their concerns would have been “the appropriate measure to undertake”.

Chong said Malaysia had no place for such extremists who conveniently target the Chinese community as their bogeyman.

“Purchasers, future tenants, residents and occupants have a right to move about freely without the fear of violence, intimidation or mob rule against them.”