KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein is “sending a wrong message” by refusing to guarantee the safety of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng following various attacks on the opposition pact’s property.
“Such refusal by the home minister is akin to a refusal to warn of stern action against those resorting to criminal acts of violence against the personal safety and property of PR leaders and members,” Lim (picture), who is also Penang chief minister, said in a statement today.
Lim was referring to attacks on PKR’s Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat campaign bus which was yesterday splashed with red paint — for the third time — by unknown assailants since it kicked off its nationwide tour on August 31.
During PKR’s pre-election tour in Johor yesterday, nails were spread on the road leading to last night’s dinner venue, while a car in the entourage was dented and scratched in a stone attack. No one was hurt in the attack.
Yesterday, Hishammuddin was reported as saying: “No need for guarantees. It is decided by the people of Johor themselves. I think PKR knows this and can judge for itself from what is happening there.”
“Is Hishammuddin providing not only just legal immunity from prosecution but also sanctioning such wrongful acts?” asked Lim.
“Will we see more of such violent attacks not just against PKR but also PR?”
Lim pointed to yesterday’s “systematic and organised attacks” against Penang DAP where the party’s state headquarters and three DAP state assemblymen’s service centres, including his own centre, were attacked with red paint.
He also pointed to the splashing of paint on the state headquarters and the Komtar state assemblymen’s service centre last August as well as an attempt to burn the state headquarters.
“Hishammuddin should immediately restore some of his personal credibility and uphold the rule of law by withdrawing such irresponsible remarks and issue a directive to the police to take stern action behind the perpetrators of such illegal and criminal acts of violence against PR to prove that there are no double standards nor selective prosecution,” he said.
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