Senators call for sterner action against organisers of street demos

KUALA LUMPUR: Several senators today called for sterner action to be taken against any group or individuals who supported street demonstrations aimed at toppling the current government.
Taking a swipe at the organisers of the Bersih 5 rally that was held in the city on Nov 19, Senator Datuk Hamzah Mohd Kassim said stern action should be taken against the organisers for breaking the laws.
"Any group, whatever the colour theme they use, yellow, red of whatever, should not threaten the peace and progress of the country by resorting to street demonstrations," he said when debating the Supply Bill 2017 in the Dewan Negara.
Referring to the presence of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Bersih 5 rally, he said Dr Mahathir was acting contrary to his principles when he was the prime minister whereby he was dead set against street demonstrations.
"I am for the laws to be applied on anyone, even if the individual is a former prime minister. We cannot be having double standards where the ordinary people get it ... but action is slow if the person is a VIP ... no one should be exempt," said Hamzah, who also received the backing of Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.
Senator Datuk Senator Yahaya Mat Ghani also said that Bersih should be checked fast so that the country continued to get the attention of foreign investors. — Bernama