VIOLENCE should not be directed at any leader or individual, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today in condemning yesterday’s fracas at the Nothing to Hide 2.0 forum.

Zahid said such incidents should not happen in a democratic country.

Yesterday, three youths were held after flares, slippers and chairs were thrown when Dr Mahathir Mohamad spoke at the forum in Shah Alam.

“Although we have different opinions, no violence should be committed towards any individual or leader,” the home minister told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

“I will continue to instruct police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.”

Zahid denied knowledge of Umno members’ involvement in the attack that was apparently directed at Dr Mahathir, who has become a trenchant critic of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government.

“It is not in my knowledge. We will conduct the investigation through police.
“We have to ask police to investigate and let them handle the investigation,” he said when pressed further if the culprits had been identified.

The incident forced the organisers to take Dr Mahathir and several other VIPs out of the hall immediately.

The forum was organised by Bersatu Youth as a platform for the former prime minister and Najib to debate issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Police yesterday said they would question Bersatu members for possible safety lapses on the part of the organisers.

The forum, which was attended by more than 2,000 people, began about 4pm and ended some 90 minutes later when shoes and chairs were thrown at the stage. Two flares were also lit.

Present at the forum were Dr Mahathir’s wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, Bersatu president Muhiyddin Yassin, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, Perkasa vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, veteran DAP lawmaker Lim Kit Siang and DAP leader Zaid Ibrahim. – August 14, 2017.