I wanted to avoid a confrontation, says Syed Saddiq on ruckus

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Bersatu Youth Chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman says he backed off and escaped by jumping over the fence before going onto a small path to avoid confrontation with the “uninvited” group, following the advice of the organiser and police.

The Youth and Sports Minister said he had personally contacted the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador for advice after a group of about 200 people gatecrashed the gathering he was attending at Ulu Tiram, Johor on Friday (Jan 31) and refused to leave when they were asked to do so.

“The organiser and police (who were there) with me said if we were to confront them, things could escalate and become worse, and obviously we did not want any confrontation as it could get physical.

“So we took a safe option, that is into the forest.

“Not just me, I think Melaka (executive councillor) Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideedn and Bersatu Johor chairman Mazlan Bujang did the same, ” he told a press conference after attending a luncheon with the Malaysia Future Leadership School here Sunday (Feb 2).

The group, wearing red and black T-shirts, were allegedly shouting abusive words as well as threatening Bersatu Youth members and asking Syed Saddiq to leave Johor.

Following the incident, the police have so far arrested three individuals believed to have been involved in the commotion. – Bernama