|
Asked on the
formation of Angkatan Insaf Rakyat, a new opposition coalition, Dr Chen said he
believed it was a ploy by BN to divide Opposition party votes during the coming
election
DAP: Students' involvement in demos
regrettable
SEREMBAN, Tues. - DAP chairman Dr Chen Man Hin said it was regrettable that students had been involved in the recent demonstrations held by Opposition parties in Kuala Lumpur. He said this when asked to comment on last Sunday's demonstration at the National Mosque during which several students had joined supporters of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to clash with police. Two 15-year-old students were among eight people arrested by police for turning violent during the demonstration and injuring three policemen. One of them was found to have a knife. In the clash, the Anwar supporters had pelted police wih flower pots and stones. This had resulted in one of the policemen having been given 12 stitches to close a gash on his head. Dr Chen who was speaking to reporters at his office today said police should find out if the students had joined the demonstration on their own or were roped in by the supporters. "However, the demonstration which was intended to be a peaceful one would not have turned violent if police had not provoked them. "The demonstrators were just showing their displeasure at the way the case of Anwar's (alleged) arsenic poisoning was being handled by the Government." Dr Chen said Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's statement that Anwar was not medically fit to attend court as his heart and lungs had been affected showed that Anwar's condition was serious. "Although it is not clear whether his deteriorating condition is due to arsenic poisoning, the Government should ensure that Anwar is given utmost care and given the best medical treatment. "They should understand that if Anwar were to die it will be a calamity for the whole nation." Commenting on Parti Keadilan Nasional's move to get the Malay Rulers to interfere in Anwar's poisoning case, Dr Chen said this was essential as the Cabinet had not done much in the case. Asked on the formation of Angkatan Insaf Rakyat, a new opposition coalition, Dr Chen said he believed it was a ploy by BN to divide Opposition party votes during the coming election. |
