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http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20120222-329477.html
Anwar slams 'Umno thugs' over attack
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Malaysian opposition leader Mr Anwar Ibrahim claims Umno supporters were responsible for attacking his car on 19 February 2012, leaving dents on its side and a crack on its windscreen.
The New Paper
Friday, Feb 24, 2012
MALAYSIA - The Malaysian opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has slammed "Umno thugs" for their attack on Mr Anwar Ibrahim's car on Sunday.
The incident happened at Sembrong, Johor, at about 11.30pm when Mr Anwar, 64, was scheduled to speak at the party's headquarters there.
The meeting was intended to clear the air over Mr Anwar's alleged support for Israel, which has upset some.
PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution alleged that between 50 to 80 teenagers on motorcycles threw stones, sticks, water bottles, rotten eggs and firecrackers at Mr Anwar's Mercedes-Benz while at least 20 uniformed policemen stood by and watched, liberal news portal Malaysian Insider reported.
Said Mr Saifuddin, who is also MP for Machang, Kelantan: "These 15- to 18-year-olds are known to locals as Umno supporters. They did it in front of police who did not act at all until the car's windscreen broke.
"Police did not stop the Umno thugs. This happened in the constituency of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein."
He said the teenagers disrupted the proceedings, which had attracted at least 3,000 people.
Mr Anwar, meanwhile, said he will not be cowed by such violence, alleging that the youngsters were paid to create trouble.
"They were paid RM20 (S$8) and they created trouble... This is how far the mentality of our youth has been damaged at the hands of Umno.
"If there is any Umno remnant in you, discard it. Please stop, it shames us," liberal news portal Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
Recalling the incident, he said that soon after he got to Sembrong, the car was attacked and dented. The mirrors were also broken.
Said Mr Anwar: "There were police around, but they were unable to control the situation. And when I was about to present my speech, the youngsters threw firecrackers."
'Umno to blame'
He blamed the ruling Umno coalition for making use of the youths.
Said Mr Anwar: "Don't be fools or try to fool others - be someone who has pride."
Umno, he added, could hire thugs to harass him and even condemn him in the media, but his response would always be: "I will not be moved."
The incident was one of a series of disruptions of PKR meetings sessions in recent weeks as Mr Anwar makes forays into the strongholds of the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional, ahead of a general election that is widely expected to be held this year.
Mr Anwar's recent acquittal in a second sodomy case is likely to add more spice to the already colourful Malaysian political scenario.
Last Monday, his visit to Malacca was allegedly marred by rowdy Umno supporters who went there to disrupt his meeting.
Last Friday, a roadblock was set up during his meeting in Pekan, Pahang.
The PKR said it has lodged a police report over the incident in Johor.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
Anwar slams 'Umno thugs' over attack
Tweet
Malaysian opposition leader Mr Anwar Ibrahim claims Umno supporters were responsible for attacking his car on 19 February 2012, leaving dents on its side and a crack on its windscreen.
The New Paper
Friday, Feb 24, 2012
MALAYSIA - The Malaysian opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has slammed "Umno thugs" for their attack on Mr Anwar Ibrahim's car on Sunday.
The incident happened at Sembrong, Johor, at about 11.30pm when Mr Anwar, 64, was scheduled to speak at the party's headquarters there.
The meeting was intended to clear the air over Mr Anwar's alleged support for Israel, which has upset some.
PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution alleged that between 50 to 80 teenagers on motorcycles threw stones, sticks, water bottles, rotten eggs and firecrackers at Mr Anwar's Mercedes-Benz while at least 20 uniformed policemen stood by and watched, liberal news portal Malaysian Insider reported.
Said Mr Saifuddin, who is also MP for Machang, Kelantan: "These 15- to 18-year-olds are known to locals as Umno supporters. They did it in front of police who did not act at all until the car's windscreen broke.
"Police did not stop the Umno thugs. This happened in the constituency of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein."
He said the teenagers disrupted the proceedings, which had attracted at least 3,000 people.
Mr Anwar, meanwhile, said he will not be cowed by such violence, alleging that the youngsters were paid to create trouble.
"They were paid RM20 (S$8) and they created trouble... This is how far the mentality of our youth has been damaged at the hands of Umno.
"If there is any Umno remnant in you, discard it. Please stop, it shames us," liberal news portal Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
Recalling the incident, he said that soon after he got to Sembrong, the car was attacked and dented. The mirrors were also broken.
Said Mr Anwar: "There were police around, but they were unable to control the situation. And when I was about to present my speech, the youngsters threw firecrackers."
'Umno to blame'
He blamed the ruling Umno coalition for making use of the youths.
Said Mr Anwar: "Don't be fools or try to fool others - be someone who has pride."
Umno, he added, could hire thugs to harass him and even condemn him in the media, but his response would always be: "I will not be moved."
The incident was one of a series of disruptions of PKR meetings sessions in recent weeks as Mr Anwar makes forays into the strongholds of the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional, ahead of a general election that is widely expected to be held this year.
Mr Anwar's recent acquittal in a second sodomy case is likely to add more spice to the already colourful Malaysian political scenario.
Last Monday, his visit to Malacca was allegedly marred by rowdy Umno supporters who went there to disrupt his meeting.
Last Friday, a roadblock was set up during his meeting in Pekan, Pahang.
The PKR said it has lodged a police report over the incident in Johor.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
