Johor Sultan criticises DAP leader over call to protest price hikes, cites May 13 riots
SHAH ALAM - The street protests proposed by a DAP leader to pressure the government to resolve the rising cost of living issue in the country is not a solution, says Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
The sultan who expressed disagreement over the matter urged the people to learn from what happened in the past.
“This is an irresponsible way to find a solution.
“Have we not learned enough from the bloody street protests of the past? Have they forgotten the riots of 1969, also recently the Bersih riots?.
"It never achieved anything, except chaos, destruction and a black mark on our nation’s history!.
“Protesting on the streets is not the Malaysian way and there will be no winners when this happens. There will only be losers, and who knows how long it will take for the scars to heal,” he said on his Facebook page, today.
His comments were in response to the statement by DAP central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali who encouraged the public to gather on the streets in Kuala Lumpur to hold street protests over the recent rising cost of living.
His Majesty told the Royal Press Office (RPO) that the laws must be respected and upheld.
“Do not spew seditious statements when there are many other constructive avenues to channel your suggestions and views,” he said.
He said the country’s growth must be carefully nurtured through a mature dialogue, not demonstrations that could risk public's safety and national security.
Street demonstrations, he said would have an affect on the economy by scaring off investors and as a result set the country further back in its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Sheikh Umar urged Malaysians to consider street protests in Kuala Lumpur against how the government had handled the crisis on the rising cost of living.
He said the public gathering in large numbers in the city centre would send a signal of their frustrations to the ruling government.
“This crowd, numbering about a million people, will ‘shock’ the country’s leaders from continuing to ‘sleep’. The people want an immediate solution, not with the government continuing to play politics and not being focused on solving the people’s problems.
“The people are suffering right now,” he said.
