Sultan Ibrahim: ‘Have we not learned enough from the street protests of the past?’ — Photo sourced from the Johor Sultan’s official Facebook page
JOHOR BARU: There are many constructive ways to address the issue of rising cost of living but holding street protests is not among them, says Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
The Johor Ruler said he was against the street protests proposed by a DAP leader to pressure the government on the issue.
“This is not a responsible way of finding a solution to the problem. There are many constructive ways to do so.
“Have we not learned enough from the street protests of the past? Have they forgotten the riots of 1969, and more recently, the Bersih riots? It never achieved anything, except chaos, destruction and a black mark on our nation’s history!
“Protesting on the streets is not the Malaysian way. There will be no winners when this happens. There will only be losers, and who knows how long it will take for scars to heal,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a Facebook post.
The Ruler reminded the people that the law must be respected and upheld.
“Do not spew seditious statements when there are many other constructive avenues to channel your suggestions and views.
“Street demonstrations will also adversely affect the economy, scare investors from coming here and set the country further back from its Covid-19 recovery.
“Don’t go down this road. Our growth must be carefully nurtured through mature dialogue, not demonstrations that risk public safety and national security,” the Ruler said.
DAP central executive committee member and vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali had urged the public to gather in the streets of Kuala Lumpur to signal their frustration at the government over the rising cost of living.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sheikh Umar said it was time for the people to go to the streets and make their voices heard.
