In a statement issued by the Bersih steering committee today, the coalition said the “deafening silence” from the cabinet was “unacceptable”.
Noting that such “hooliganism” had been used against its supporters in the Bersih 5 convoy and rallies last year, the coalition said the use of “gangsters and political violence” had become the “SOP” in any events seen as critical of the authorities, especially Umno and Prime Minister Najib Razak.
“The home ministry must set the moral standard as this violence may set the tone for the forthcoming 14th general election,” it said.
“The police must conduct a full investigation against the perpetrators and bring them to justice, without fear or favour.”
Pointing out that the aim of yesterday’s forum was to have an open debate between Najib and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on issues such as corruption and 1MDB, Bersih said it was crucial in a functioning democracy for people to be able to participate in politics without fear.
Chaos erupted at the second Nothing to Hide forum yesterday when projectiles with a pungent chemical odour were hurled while Mahathir was addressing the audience.
The venue was filled with smoke and punches were said to have been traded as PPBM members rushed onstage to protect the 92-year-old chairman of PPBM and Pakatan Harapan.
The incident occurred shortly after a participant questioned Mahathir about the Memali incident which saw 14 villagers and four policemen killed in a confrontation between the police and followers of a Muslim preacher in November 1985 in Kedah, when he was prime minister.
The Centre for a Better Tomorrow (Cenbet) also slammed the disturbance, saying it pointed at a worrying trend of a radicalised society resorting to violence as a form of expression.
“Worse still, some top leaders shirk from their responsibilities in managing the polarity and aggravate the discord for short-term political gains at the expense of nation building,” its co-president Gan Ping Sieu said in a statement.
“In a democratic society, civil debates are the cornerstones for the germination of ideas and to seek consensus. Violence, disruption and harassment show intolerance of discourse and do not bode well.
“Malaysians, especially youth, should choose dialogue, not brute force.”
Gan asked if steps had been taken to prevent the disturbance, adding that authorities should act swiftly and decisively against the provocateurs to show that they have zero tolerance against those who resort to violence.
“Any delay or hesitation in going after the perpetrators will send the wrong message that political discourses containing elements of violence is tolerated or even condoned,” he said.