Saturday March 23, 2013

Two groups protest against Penang government

By TAN SIN CHOW and WINNIE YEOH
north@thestar.com.my

Noisy, but peaceful: A group of protesters shouting slogans during the peaceful protest outside the Maybank in Komtar and (below) another group holding a protest at the Simpang Enam mosque.

GEORGE TOWN: Two groups of protesters vented their frustration against the DAP-led state administration for what they felt were “unfulfilled” promises affecting Penangites and the chief minister’s stand on the use of the word “Allah” in Bibles.

They came in two groups and marched from Macalister Road to the Maybank in Komtar, holding banners and placards.

Among the issues the first group raised were the lack of low-cost houses in the state and the proposed undersea tunnel project.

The group, which called itself “Malaysia Rights Coalition”, started its 2km walk from Macalister Road before reaching Komtar about 20 minutes later at 1.50pm yesterday.

Comprising members of 1Malaysia Brothers (1MB) Club, Malaysia Youth Rights Movement and Pertubuhan Belia Komunity Penang, they marched along Penang Road, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Jalan Ria and Lebuh Tek Soon.

They wore T-shirts printed with the words “Don’t Take Away Our Freedom”.

Malaysia Youth Rights Movement president Shen Yee Aun said the 6.5km undersea tunnel was unnecessary as it would only lead to more traffic congestion.

A strong police presence at Komtar prevented the group from entering the building to hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Police only allowed three representatives to hand the memorandum to Lim’s assistant communications officer Shum Jian Wei.

The group dispersed at about 2.10pm but five minutes later, another group of protesters emerged, asking Lim to withdraw his statement on the kalimah Allah issue.

It was led by Warisan Anak Merdeka whose president Abdul Ghani Haroon sent a letter for Lim to withdraw his remarks that the word “Allah” could be used in Bahasa Malaysia Bibles.

“Lim can play politics but he should never use religion and Islam for political mileage,” Abdul Ghani said.

Suara Anak Malaysia, Perkasa, and Tanjung PAS members were also part of the second group of protesters.

News

Saturday March 23, 2013

Two groups protest against Penang government

By TAN SIN CHOW and WINNIE YEOH north@thestar.com.my

By TAN SIN CHOW and WINNIE YEOH
north@thestar.com.my