MORE violence is expected as the 14th general election approaches, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said today, as he urged the government to protect the right of all Malaysians to express their views.

This protection should extend to Bersatu head and Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he added.

“During the last general election, there were several incidences where stones were thrown at the bus I was in. 

“Despite this, no action was taken by the police. We hope that the government will come down hard on yesterday’s perpetrators,” Anwar said in a statement today.

“I fear this negative trend will increase as we approach the 14th general election. The government is responsible for ensuring that the right and freedom to express one’s views are preserved, including for Dr Mahathir.”

The PKR leader was commenting on Sunday’s incident where shoes and water bottles were hurled at Dr Mahathir during the Nothing to Hide 2.0 forum in Shah Alam. Chairs were also thrown about and two flares were lit.

Three youths were detained and handed over to the police subsequently. The youths, aged 17-19, were today remanded for four days to facilitate investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act.

During the 2013 elections, PKR’s official bus “Merdeka Rakyat” was pelted with rocks and splashed with red paint during a ceramah in Bukit Katil, Malacca.

The rocks shattered several windows, showering shards of glass on Anwar and his entourage. – August 14, 2017.