SOCIAL media users are pointing fingers at Umno and Bersatu after a ruckus disrupted this afternoon’s Nothing to Hide 2.0 forum, which saw flares lit, and shoes and chairs thrown at Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Those critical of the ruling government slammed the troublemakers, like Chan Huan Chin, who criticised the culprits for failing to tolerate debates.

“Why BN supporters cannot tolerate civilised debates? Memang everything to hide,” he said on Facebook.

Tesla Navier said he was sure nobody from Umno would be arrested, but those trying to protect Dr Mahathir on stage would be questioned by the police.

“...then no action. This is Malaysia under (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak). Najib has turned Malaysia into a lawless and pariah state,” he wrote on Facebook.

On Twitter, Danial (@daanialhaziq) wrote: “What is wrong with you guys? Be grateful for the platform provided, it should be an event (where) you seek for the truth. Pathetic #Nothing2Hide”

Two other Facebook users Johnny Lum and Ray Ong also expressed their disgust.

“No need to ask who is behind this. We already know. The question is – is this the Malaysia we want? #ABU,” Lum said, using the acronym that stood for “Asalkan Bukan Umno” (As long as it is not Umno).

(Tak payah tanya siapa dalang! Kita tau dah! Soalan nya.. ini kh Malaysia yg kita nak??? #ABU)

“We all know their gangster culture of violence and intimidation. That’s not Islam but ‘munafiks yg memalukan bangsa dan agama mereka’ (hypocrites who embarrass their race and religion),” Ong wrote.

Farrash Hasbollah said on Facebook that it was “so disgraceful and unbelievably sad that some have regressed this way” while on Twitter, Coding your heart =3‏ (@ikhwanridzwan) said after the ruckus, his heart “now tells me to #DEFENDSELANGOR”

Shaiskandar‏ (@naqiyahafiqah) felt bad for Dr Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister who is now 92.

“A gentleman trying his best to explain what had happened to our country. Sorry Tun M. I’m proud of you! #Nothing2Hide” the Twitter user wrote.

The forum was organised by Bersatu Youth (Armada) as a platform for the former prime minister and Najib to debate issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Najib did not attend.

Some suggested that forums should be held online next time, like Ah Ping who wrote: “Just do a FB (Facebook) live” and Amin Hudi, who posted: ” Organise online forums. You won’t get thrown flares (Buat forum online la. Tak la kena baling flare).”

Nobody was sure who were the people behind it, as the perpetrators were wearing Bersatu t-shirts. Armada claimed the t-shirts were fake.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also criticised those who caused the ruckus at the Selangor Youth and Culture Complex in Shah Alam, calling for police action.

“What happened at #Nothing2Hide must be condemned & cannot be tolerated. Hope Police (police) apprehend those responsible,” he tweeted.

The Youth and Sports Minister also said: “Let the police investigate” when another Twitter user commented that the flare throwers were in Bersatu shirts.

“They accused Umno, but those who threw the flares were wearing Bersatu shirts. There were many witnesses there,” nami cob nobbler‏ (@comradenami) tweeted.

Another Twitter user ‘The Noble Messenger‏ (@slanzanegger) also offered his take on the incident.

“These kids want to betray Umno, so the people will continue to hate Umno. They had prepared the flares. The people hate it that (Umno) always create violence,” he said in a series of tweets.

(Haha budak2 nak khianat Umno supaya rakyat terus benci Umno..Budak2 hingusan dah prepare bawak suar tu utk dibaling..Naya Umno rakyat dah benci selalu sangat cetus keganasan..)

Nona ZZabidin on Facebook said: “That was Bersatu’s handiwork. They wanted to get sympathy from the people (tu kerja puak PPBM Nak meraih simpati rakyat.) What a drama.”

Meanwhile, another Twitter user Faris Aiman‏ (@_FarisAiman) said it did not matter who started the ruckus.

He said he knew having Bersatu in Pakatan Harapan would only “invoke chaos and make things complicated”.

It was reported earlier that Bersatu had handed over three teenagers believed to be involved in the fracas, to the police. – August 13, 2017.