GERAKAN YOUTH condemns the UNTRULY BEHAVIOR

Gerakan Youth Secretary General, Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai condemned the act of several individuals who aggressively defaced and stepped on the picture of prime minister Datuk Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak together with the participants of ‘Himpunan Janji Bersih’ who carried ‘new flags’. “These are the few people who acted stupidly against the country and leader. It is a foolish way to express ones dissatisfaction towards the government. What are we showing towards our children when telling them to be respectful and tolerant whereas they behaved like barbarians?” He further commented that even if an individual was dissatisfied with the country’s leaders, they can voice their opinion in the ballot box and not through violent means just to get attention. “After all we are a democratic country, backed with a constitution which guarantees freedom of expression, so there is no need to act like that.” He also expressed fear that the act of defacing the portrait of the country’s leader will spark a chain reaction that might tempt others to do the same in the near future. Therefore he urged that the perpetrators to come out and admit their mistakes for their irresponsible actions had hurt peace-loving Malaysians who elected their leaders democratically. Regarding the ‘new flags’ issue, Dr Dominic expressed shock over the incident for ‘Sang Saka Malaya” symbolized treason to the country. He commented that no matter how angry a person is towards the government; he should still be loyal towards the country for the flag displays sovereignty and national pride. Countering claims where the act has been practiced all the time in the West, he stated that Malaysia is an Asian country with Asian values and therefore should not adopt the ‘Wild West’ attitude as it is not our norm. “Although we guaranteed freedom of expression, that does not mean one can simply blurt without considering the consequences. Who is going to ensure that the peace that we are enjoying now will be preserved if the country falls into chaos and destruction? Therefore, one has to think and say something responsibly for the sake of the country and greater society.”