Liow: Express views legally

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA is strongly opposed to the Sept 16 rally being planned by a red-shirted group.

Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said street rallies, be it in support or against the Government, should not be the platform for people to make their stand known.

“Everyone has the right to express their views and thoughts, but do it legally,” he said at the Federal Territories MCA annual general meeting here yesterday.

“The MCA’s stand is clear. We disagree with such a gathering that can only create chaos.”

It was reported that the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally, initiated by a Malay-based organisation and individuals, was being planned in Bukit Bintang on Malaysia Day to counter the pre-National Day Bersih 4 rally.

Liow said the Low Yat Plaza clash in July proved that racial ties were still fragile, adding that such a rally would destroy the country’s peace and harmony.

“A peaceful and stable society is our strength and selling point to attract investors and tourists,” he pointed out, adding that Malaysia had no room for racial and religious extremism.

He urged the police to look into the planned rally and to take appropriate action.

Opening the Selangor MCA Youth AGM later, Liow said shouting slogans during street rallies would not help change things for the better.

He said it would be better for those who sought transformation to come over to the Government’s side and become a mainstream force within.

Liow said the Government was focusing on reviving the national economy in the shortest time due to the fall in the ringgit and drop in oil prices.

Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon called on NGOs sceptical of the Government on anti-corruption and transparency to have the same standard for state governments held by the Opposition.

He said these NGOs, which claimed to uphold the principle of transparency did not apply the same scrutiny towards the Darul Ehsan Investment Group (DEIG) controversy in Selangor.

DEIG was set up to manage investment, assets and business subsidiaries of the state government.

However, several Selangor leaders, including former mentri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, expressed concern over DEIG as it was not answerable to the state legislative assembly.

Later at the opening of the second Pan Malaysia Global Taekwon-Do Federation (PGTF) National Taekwondo Championship, Liow urged the people to control their weight and stay healthy.

He said the rise in non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol had become a major problem in the country.

“We must take immediate measures to curb the problem and stay fit,” he said, adding that sports provided a good platform for the people to be disciplined.