TMJ posters not our doing, say rally organisers

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 5 May 2019 6:52PM · 5 Comments

Many participants held up posters of Tunku Ismail during the rally in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with slogans that they will defend the royal institution. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 5, 2019.

THE organisers of yesterday’s Malay rights rally said they have no clue as to how posters and banners carrying the images of Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Iskandar found their way to rally goers.

Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) told The Malaysian Insight that they did not communicate with the Johor palace or the crown prince.

“TMJ did not fund the programme yesterday. We have never been in contact. If people are saying that then they are making baseless accusation,” said Ummah chairman Aminuddin Yahya. 

Many participants held up posters of Tunku Ismail during the rally in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with slogans that they will defend the royal institution.

The participants had told the media that the posters were signs of protest against the government and to express support for the royals.

It was also reported that participants were given placards of Tunku Ismail when the rally took place at the vicinity of Masjid Jamek.

According to Aminuddin, the rally goers had every right to support the palace, and as the organiser, he could not stop participants from holding the posters.

“Ummah did not provide the posters or the placards. I am not sure who brought those items,” he said.

Aminuddin said the posters were clear signs that the people are against the ratification of Rome Statute. 

“It shows that the people are not happy with the way Pakatan Harapan is dealing with the royal institution. They expressed their concern and unhappiness by joining the rally,” he said.

Asked to comment on the upcoming rally to protest against the Rome Statute on June 15, Aminuddin disclosed that he had no knowledge of the event.

However, he said that Ummah will be supporting the rally.

“If it is good for the people, we will support,” he said.

Sekretariat Suara Rakyat chairman Lokman Noor Adam today said the rally planned for next month will be called “Himpunan Sejuta Umat Bantah Statut Rom 1506” and will be held at Dataran Merdeka.

Last month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Putrajaya would not ratify the Rome Statute due to “political confusion” surrounding the issue.

“This is not because we are against it, but because of the political confusion over what it entails, caused by people with vested interests.”

On March 4, Malaysia signed the treaty and submitted it to the UN secretary-general. The country is allowed to withdraw before next month.

Last November, the government U-turned on its pledge to ratify ICERD following backlash from certain quarters that feared it would affect Malays’ special position and privileges. – May 5, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • PH government does not have the drive, inclination & leadership to fight for the rights of citizens..

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • As the Chinese saying goes....Money can mobilize even the ghosts.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Until and unless the PH government starts showing courage and put down these moronic trouble causers who are using everything they have to stir the malays from the PH government, they will lose the confidence of the non malays and also the support of the malays.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

  • Now the shits has hit the fan. It is obvious whther it is the truth does not matter anymore. Looks like TMJ is involve in the rally. Ummah trying to be smart aleck has implicated the royal family into the political dispute. The royal household are suppose to be apolitical but being dragged into a protest rally and staying silent till now is accepting the Royal Household into the political fray. do not blame anyone when the heat is unbearable.!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • The Johor royal family is not the only royal institution so it brings all of them into disrepute if they do not act collectively to uphold the neutrality of the royal houses.

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply