KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5: Is there a right day to rise against tyranny, or does that also require Feng Shui advice?
ADMIRER FROM AFAR ... When the going gets tough, even the support from an obscure Malaysian politician can be priceless
If the remarks by a youth leader from BN component party Gerakan were anything to go by, the answer to both is in the affirmative.
Its youth leader in Kedah has condemned a rally after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur to show support to the millions of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, saying that it was "disrespectful" because it took place on the second day of Chinese New Year.
Some 5,000 people joined the rally infront of the US embassy in Jalan Ampang, coinciding with what was symbolically called the "Day of Departure" for Egypt's beleagured president Hosni Mubarak yesterday. Police however responded with tear gas to force the protests to end, and arrested a handful of participants.
Scores of cities in the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia have also held similar rallies yesterday urging Mubarak to leave immediately and for Washington to stay out from any attempt to defend the Egyptian regime.
Thousands of Malaysians marching in solidarity with Egyptians, Feb 4.
But it seems the protest has angered the Kedah youth leader Tan Keng Liang as much as it has disappointed Mubarak.
"What nonsense is this?"
Tan lashed out at the NGOs and political parties such as PAS and PKR for joining the demonstration, saying it should not be held on the second day of the Lunar new year.
“Kedah Gerakan Youth regrets that leaders and members of PAS and PKR have demonstrated today, which is the second day of Chinese New Year.
"This act (of holding pro-democracy rally) is uncouth and disrespectful to the Chinese New Year celebration in Malaysia,” said Tan, who among a litany of other excuses, said the protests had caused the police to work overtime.
In sentences likely to raise questions about his knowledge of current events, as well as his discomfort with an increasingly globalised world, Tan said people of all races and religion should instead visit their relatives and friends on the first two days of Chinese New Year.
“PAS and PKR should be more considerate and show respect towards all Malaysian customs including Chinese New Year,” said Tan, who also wants Pakatan Rakyat leaders to "explain".
In an immediate reaction, a shocked Bukit Bendera member of parliament Liew Chin Tong called on Gerakan leaders to be more mature.
“What nonsense is this? Can Gerakan be more mature?” said Liew in a Twitter posting.
http://en.harakahdaily.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2217:gerakan-condemns-anti-mubarak-rally&catid=36:headline&Itemid=70
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