MCA wants BN leaders to skip May 13 rally

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The MCA today warned Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders against attending a May 13 rally in Kuala Terengganu, pointing out that it was nothing but a “dark reminder” of the past.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the MCA was against such a gathering as “all Malaysians have learned from May 13 to be more multiracial, inclusive, moderate and in support of 1 Malaysia.”
“MCA condemns the purported gathering to be held in Terengganu. We feel that it will not serve any purpose but to remind Malaysians of the dark incident of May 13,” said Dr Chua (picture) at a press conference here.
The May 13 rally is being organised by Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Gertak) along with a government agency, the Terengganu Integrity Institute, the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia reported yesterday.
The rally, to be held at the Gong Badak indoor stadium, has the theme “Malays Arise” and is expected to be attended by 10,000 members from 45 Malay non-governmental organisations.
Organisers say it is aimed at uniting the Malays, whom former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said have been under attack from Chinese Malaysians.
Organisers of the May 13 rally said Dr Mahathir will attend the gathering. He also attended another gathering recently organised by right-wing Malay rights group Perkasa.
“If BN leaders go on to attend this event, I am confident that people will make all kinds of conclusions,” said Dr Chua.
But the MCA president remained non-committal when asked to comment on Dr Mahathir’s presence at the May 13 gathering.
“I don’t know... other people may want to attend,” said Dr Chua.
He also refused to comment on the government agency’s involvement in the rally, claiming that he did know who had organised the rally.
The MCA’s remarks come shortly after PAS had slammed the gathering, with PAS vice-president Sallehuddin Ayub calling it “uncivilised”.
Sallehuddin also chastised the Terengganu Integrity Institute for its involvement in the rally as it was unethical and would taint the Najib administration’s all-inclusive 1 Malaysia concept.
“This is outrageous and unhealthy. The incident should not be raised at this point of time when we have already gained independence and the government is trying to promote its 1 Malaysia concept using APCO, paying RM77 million to market it.
“They said the date was chosen to commemorate the race riots. This is so uncivilised. It’s not just the Malays, Indians and Chinese but any civilised person would not want to be associated with this kind of mentality,” Sallehuddin said.