Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The police will conduct their investigation in accordance with the standard operating procedure into the commotion that happened during the ‘Nothing to Hide 2.0’ forum on Sunday, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said he had instructed the police to conduct an investigation and take the appropriate action, including prosecution, if there was wrongdoing by those involved. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, spoke to reporters at the Putra World Trade Centre.
He had opened the 37th World Congress of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research there.
He was asked to comment on the incident where footwear and several other objects were hurled in the direction of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the event organised by the party in Shah Alam on Sunday. “I am saddened by what happened. This should not have happened in a democratic country. Even if there are differences of opinion, there should be no use of force against any individual or leader,” he said.
He said the event was held with a permit from the authorities.
Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the politics of gangsterism is not a culture practised in the country.
He said the commotion at the forum organised by the opposition should not have happened because it was unhealthy for the country’s politics.
“We must take a lesson from this incident. Firstly, the security aspect must be given importance when organising any programme. Secondly, the programme must be organised according to the conditions stipulated by law. Thirdly, abide by the advice of the security personnel. Fourthly, it must be remembered that the politics of gangsterism is not our political culture,” he said in a post on his blog yesterday.
Salleh was responding to the incident at the ‘Nothing to Hide 2.0’ programme in Shah Alam on Sunday. A rowdy group caused a riot during the gathering.
Salleh also hit out at opposition leaders, including Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who had claimed that the incident was orchestrated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“I do not know where the Selangor MB received information and so fast that the PM was behind the incident,” he said.
Responding to the incident, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the incident should be condemned and not condoned and that those involved should be arrested.
Salleh said he anticipated a similar response from other political party leaders but, sadly, they are engaged in politicking all the time, ‘even when we are faced with such a challenge’.— Bernama