PKR rep files police report on scuffle kick

Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei has lodged a police report after allegedly being kicked during the scuffle at the Talam debate last night.

"The kick hit my lower right side of my waist. I am making this report because I fear for my safety," the PKR leader (photo, in white) wrote in her report.

The report was lodged at Damansara police station at around 3pm today.

Gan was among the pro-Pakatan Rakyat group at the debate organised by MCA.

The debate was suppose to pit  Deputy Agriculture Minister Chua Tee Yong against Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

However, Khalid had sent four representatives - Parliamentarians Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor), Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara), William Leong (Selayang) and his political secretary Faekah Husin - in his place.

‘Yet another assault on Pakatan’

Chua refused to debate any of the four, prompting them to walk out of the venue. Amid the boos and jeers, a minor scuffle broke as the Pakatan entourage tried to leave the venue.

“I was leaving the hall with (Khalids political secretary) Faekah, (Khalid’s press secretary) Arfa'eza A Aziz and some supporters.

“I was at the right hand side of the group and when we going out through the corridor, while many pushed and shouted at us.

“I turned around and tried to calm them but I was kicked by a young man who caused me fall down. However one of our supporters grabbed me and later pulled me to the other side,” Gan told Malaysiakini when contacted.

She said she could not remember her assailant except that he was young and wore a white collared t-shirt.

In addition, she said that he felt the impact of the kick, but did not suffer any bruises.

“I condemn the violent politics. We have made it clear that this was supposed a rational debate but unfortunately violent incidents took place in the event.

“I urge the police to investigate this case as this is not the first time a Pakatan elected representative is assaulted,” she said.

Pua’s car scratched

Four youths were arrested after the scuffle for possession of retractable batons. Their political affiliations have yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, Pua, who is also the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, claimed that the left side of his car scratched after last night’s debate.

He said in a statement today that the scratches were only spotted this morning because the area where he parked last night was dark.

“It was only when my wife took the car out this morning when we discovered the many long scratches on it,” he said.

He said the incident was regrettable, but would not deter him from fighting for justice.

MCA: Pakatan quartet just for show

Separately, debate organiser Chiew Lian Keng said banners promoting the debate were vandalised.

“Our banners were all damaged. In four short days we have printed 200 banners, replacing the damaged ones day or night.

“Even on the morning before the debate there were 30 damaged banners, and 10 banners placed in the evening were splashed with red paint within the hour.

“Therefore I am not surprised that there were people who brought offensive weapons,” he said.

Chiew, who is also a senator and the Bandar Tun Razak MCA division chief, added that the destructive behaviour was immature and must be severely condemned.

He also complained that Khalid’s representatives did not behave like representatives, but their purpose of coming to the debate was merely to hold a press conference outside the venue.