MALAYSIA — Malaysian Police are investigating the commotion at the Malam Mesra Muo event organised by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) at Yong Sheng banquet hall in Jalan Bakri, Muar district of Johor last night (22 Oct).
According to the Muar district police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz, the investigation into the incident, which occurred at about 9.35 pm, was carried out under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
The commotion is believed to have started when the guests in the hall came out and confronted about 30 masked individuals who were shouting, which later led to an incident of throwing bottles and firecrackers, he said in a statement today.
Raiz Mukhliz advised the public not to speculate and spread baseless rumours through any communication platform and social media.
Muar MUDA information chief Muhammad Amir Fiqri Mustapha said his party would continue cooperating with the police to find the mastermind behind the second commotion incident.
A MUDA supporter’s vehicle was reported to have been “destroyed” as a result of the confrontation.
On 18 October, Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said five police reports were lodged over a ruckus that occurred during a ceramah organised by MUDA in Parit Jawa, Muar on 16 October.
The 15th Malaysia General Election has been announced to be held on 19 November by the Malaysia Election Commission (Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya, SPR), following the dissolution of the Malaysian Parliament on 10 October. The nomination day for candidates will be on 5 November.
MUDA, a multi-racial and youth-centric political party in Malaysia formed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, won one seat in the first election it contested at the Johor state election in March 2022.
BERSIH issues strong condemnation towards acts of violence
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) issued a statement today, strongly condemning any violence and acts of hooliganism toward political rivals in reference to the two incidents involving MUDA on 16 and 22 October,
BERSIH reminded all parties that violence and hooliganism can be considered an election offence under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954 as promoting feelings of ill-will or hostility, aside from being an offence under the Penal Code. If convicted, the person can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined up to RM10,000 or both.
It calls on all peace-loving Malaysians who want a more positive and healthy campaign to strongly condemn and reject any form of violence and hooliganism regardless of which party they are from.
It also reminded Malaysians that such violent and hooligan culture cannot be part of a clean and free election culture.
“These acts are a form of negative campaigning and extreme provocation. Elections are for parties to contest based on ideas, policies, manifestos and actions to help the people. Such negative campaigning must be rejected by all Malaysians. Let’s not be intimidated and get out to vote to reject political violence.”