Both sides in Low Yat brawl should be condemned, says G25 coordinator

PETALING JAYA: Both sides who took part in Sunday night's brawl in Low Yat Plaza should be condemned, said G25 coordinator Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin (pic).

"I think it is very disturbing that a case of theft and gangsterism has been turned into a racial issue," said the former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands.

"We should condemn those who were involved in the brawl on both sides and apologise to the larger Malaysian community for the wrongs done by bad elements from our respective communities," she said on Monday.

Noor Farida said that the incident was a lesson for politicians not to continue stoking racial and religious sentiments for political gain.

She added that a mob incident during Ramadhan clearly shows that those involved do not uphold the sanctity of the holy month.

"Irresponsible bloggers from both the Chinese and Malay communities are weighing in with racist comments and seeing the incident as racially inspired without first ascertaining the facts.

“It just shows how dangerous social media can be when used by irresponsible people to fan racial hatred which threatens the racial and religious harmony of our country," she added.

Noor Farida hopes that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will investigate and take action against the bloggers for their allegedly seditious comments.

On Sunday, five people were injured including two journalists in a mob attack near Low Yat Plaza after police dispersed protesters at the shopping mall.

An eyewitness said a group of 50 to 60 men barged into a food outlet near the shopping mall and assaulted the patrons with motorcycle helmets at around midnight.

Earlier in the night, a group of about 100, reportedly members of Malay-Muslim group Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Pekida), gathered at the Low Yat Plaza following Saturday's melee between customers and sales clerks in a smartphone shop.

However, Pekida has denied that the group sent out instructions for any gathering on Sunday.

Police managed to contain the situation.

Originally consisting of 25 eminent Malays, G25 now has 53 members and many supporters among other prominent figures.

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