What're you trying to prove? Rafidah Aziz asks 'red-shirts' in Malaysia Day counter rally (MMO)
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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — Former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz denounced today the coming September 16 rally being called by an anonymous group that has received the support of some Umno leaders, calling it a counter to Malaysia’s celebration of unity in diversity.
In her latest Facebook post today, the veteran Umno politician once dubbed Malaysia’s “Iron Lady” said the street demonstration by the “red shirts” was an instigation to racialisation with its call for Malays, especially those from the country’s ruling party, to unite against the DAP and polls reform group Bersih 2.0, which had organised last weekend’s mammoth Bersih 4 rally.
“September 16 is Malaysia’s Day...a day to celebrate our unity in diversity and the planned demonstration goes totally counter to that and has the potential to create more chasms and divisiveness,” she wrote.
Rafidah further wrote that the country’s ongoing issues did not result from racial issues so there would be no purpose to organise a counter rally with a strong racial undertone.
“Just what are they proving by trying to get some Malays, especially from Umno, to be brought to KL to demonstrate in red shirts?” she asked.
An unknown group has made calls via social media for a September 16 rally which in different circles is referred to as either “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” or “Himpunan Maruah Melayu,” asking its participants to don red clothing.
Posters have been circulated on social media urging Malays to unite in solidarity against various causes ranging from protests against political party DAP to Bersih 2.0.
In its Sunday edition today, the editors of Umno-owned broadsheet Utusan Malaysia urged the authorities to approve the September 16 rally, saying it was to fight “extremism.”
Using the pseudonym Awang Selamat, Utusan’s editors insisted that the 85 per cent of Chinese participants of Bersih 4 were DAP supporters, and also claimed that the Malays’ lack of attendance were a sign of rejection towards the opposition party’s “thick, chauvinist image.”