More Groups Condemn Proposed Gathering To Topple Government

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- More NGOs and political organisations have condemned the move by a certain group to organise the so-called "Himpunan Guling Kerajaan" gathering next Tuesday aimed at toppling the government.

From Perlis to Johor and right up to Sarawak and Sabah, the message of these organisations is loud and clear: the authorities must come down hard on those intent on causing chaos and the people must not fall prey to the propaganda.

In KANGAR, Perlis Puteri Umno appealed to the younger generation to keep away from the group which it claimed was bent on ruining the future of the nation.

"The gathering is detrimental to the people and can result in loss and damage to property," said its chief, Zuraidah Zainal Abidin, adding that a police report had been made in protest against the gathering.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, the Kuala Terengganu branch of the Malaysian Islamic Propagation and Welfare Organisation (Pekida) described the attempt to incite the people into toppling the government as a barbaric act because the government was elected in accordance with the law and the federal constitution.

"We are concerned that the gathering may be destructive to the nation's youths. Pekida supports firm action by the authorities," its chairman, Ahmad Syukri Abdullah, told reporters after lodging a police report at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters.

The Hulu Terengganu District Youth Council, 4B Youth, Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC), Federation of Peninsular Malay Students Associations (GPMS) and the Hulu Terengganu Felda Youth Council have also lodged police reports in protest against the gathering.

In BERA (Pahang), the Bera District Ex-Policemen's Association saw the gathering more as an attempt to spark chaos.

"The people must support the government as it has done a lot to champion their cause," said its chairman, Chong Nyee Lai.

More than 200 people assembled for a peaceful demonstration in protest against the gathering. They were representatives from the Bera Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno; Bera District Association of Village Chiefs; Mempaga Felda Youth Council; Bera Army Veterans Association; Ex-Policemen's Association; Pahang Natives Heritage Association; Kerayong Youth Association and Bera Farmers Organisation.

In KUANTAN, a spokesman for the Paya Besar and Kuantan Umno divisions, Zaiton Mat, said it was needless for the government to compromise with those out to cause chaos.

Zaiton said a police report had been made at the Kuantan police headquarters asking the police to arrest the mastermind behind the proposed gathering.

In PENDANG (Kedah), Pendang Umno Youth head Mohamad Fadzil Zolkipli said there were alternative ways to express dissatisfaction against the government without causing chaos.

In TAWAU (Sabah), OCPD ACP Awang Besar Dullah said the police had received seven reports in protest against the gathering, the latest being from the Tawau Puteri Umno.

In IPOH, Syamsul Baharin Putra Ahmad Shibi, a representative of a group of four NGOs and the Ipoh Barat Umno Youth which lodged a report at the Sungai Senam police station, said the gathering should be stopped for the sake of the majority of peace-loving people.

The NGOs were Kesatuan Anak Muda Islam, Suara Anak Muda 1Malaysia, 4B Youth and Gabungan Kelab Kereta Negeri Perak.

In KUCHING, the Pertubuhan Peradaban dan Warisan Melayu Sarawak (Adab) claimed it had information that Sarawak was to be made the first location to launch the gathering to overthrow the government.

"I fear that the agenda to overthrow the government is going to be launched in Sarawak before it is held in the peninsula on Dec 31," its chairman, Shariff Busrah, told reporters after lodging a police report.

In SHAH ALAM, the deputy president of the Persatuan Kebangsaan Anak Polis Malaysia (PKAPM), Syed Abu Bakar Syed Ahmad, said the organiser of the gathering should realise that policemen would not want their leave to be frozen when they had to make preparations for their children to attend school when the new term begins early next year.

He was approached by reporters after the association had joined the Selangor Anti-Irregularities Federation (Gaps) and Community Policing Malaysia to lodge a report at the Shah Alam police headquarters.

In GOMBAK (Selangor), Gombak Umno Youth joined several NGOs, namely Gombak 4B Youth; Gombak District Youth Council; Kg Sri Gombak Indah Youth Association; Persegi Malaysia Gombak; Pertubuhan Generasi Setia Gombak and the Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC), to lodge a police report.

Gombak Umno Youth head Aidi Haris Anual urged the authorities to act firmly against the organiser and participants of the gathering as well as those who promoted the gathering on the social media.

In MUAR (Johor), Bakri Umno Youth head Azman Ismail said the gathering, besides posing a threat to national security, was "an unforgivable mistake" if it were to take place.

Muar Umno Youth head Sallehudin Satar urged the government to prohibit the gathering, planned to coincide with the 2014 New Year Eve celebrations.

"Otherwise, it would be an embarrassment for the country, known all along to be peaceful and progressive," he said after representatives of the two Umno divisions held a peaceful demonstration at the Muar police headquarters after making a police report.