Organisers of street demos 'bankrupt' of supporters, drag in students: Idris Haron

MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron lashed out at organisers of street demonstrations involving students of higher learning institutions, describing them as being irresponsible and "bankrupt" of support for whatever cause they were championing.

He said they had no other way of overcoming their "bankruptcy" to the extent that they had to use students, who should be at their respective universities or colleges to focus on their studies.

"I am certain that these students were induced by irresponsible groups to do something that was extraordinary (illegal assembly) supposedly to give them a new hope and I see it as more of a political sentiment.

"They have no more supporters ... if they have the support then use the other people ... it means that if they use the students it shows that they don't get the support of our community," he said at a press conference after attending the 20th Convocation Ceremony of Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka at Seri Negri, Ayer Keroh, here today.

He said this when asked to comment on the 'Tangkap Malaysian Official 1' rally involving about 1,000 students, that was reported by a daily.
 
Idris said when the students had been "taught" the culture of indulging in street politics, this would pave the way for others to influence them and use them for campaigns that were of no benefit to the people.

He said that the seeds of extremist political thinking such as the street demonstrations and politics of revolution which were dominating the thinking of the young people could jeopardise national peace.

Meanwhile, Idris advised the people, especially Malacca residents, to be more careful when driving and to reduce outside activities and open burning that could affect the air quality.

A Bernama report yesterday quoted the Malaysian Meteorological Department as issuing a warning about low visibility that was less than five kilometres in Malacca and west Johor following the haze that was expected to persist until tomorrow. — Bernama