The Malaysian Insight

A DAY after he was assaulted, intimidated and chased out from a Ramadan bazaar in Kluang, DAP’s Liew Chin Tong faced an almost similar situation at another bazaar in his consituency today.

The Kluang MP and his group were at the Taman Intan Ramadan bazaar to distribute dates to shoppers and traders when an army veteran, who claimed he was in charge of the bazaar, ordered Liew and his people to get out as they did not have approval to be there.

Although it was not as hostile as yesterday, Liew and his group left without protesting after they finished distributing the last packet of dates.

“The person was upset. He said we did not inform him that we are coming but I was told that our friend in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) had informed him. We did not want to fight. So we left,” Liew told The Malaysian Insight.

Kluang Army Veteran Association deputy chief Abdul Gafur Basiron said Liew’s behaviour was disrespectful as he “barged” into the bazaar area without notifying the committee members there.

Abdul Gafur said it was his duty to ensure the safety and security of everyone there and Liew’s presence may have caused tension.

“What if something happened while he was distributing the dates? The traders here are army veterans and we do not know how they will react.

“If Liew had informed us earlier, we could have assisted them but their behaviour today is unacceptable. I am upset,” Abdul Gafur told The Malaysian Insight.

He added that Liew was told off last year when he and his group not only distributed dates but also political pamphlets at the same bazaar.

“I am in charge here. He does not give me respect. He is like a thief sneaking in through the back door,” said Abdul Gafur. 

Speaking to The Malaysian Insight later, Liew said the incidents yesterday and today were among the hurdles he has to go through in serving the Kluang community.

Yesterday two men barred Liew and his group from entering the dry section of a Ramadan bazaar in Kluang town.

One of them tried to rough up Liew’s staff and tried to grab a camera. Liew was hit in the forehead in the process.

Earlier today, police arrested two men who were involved in yesterday’s fracas.

Liew said it was normal to be harassed or roughed up by thugs linked to political parties.

“Umno cannot see us as an equal opponent in the political field here,” he said.

Liew added that since he won the seat in 2013, he had been stopped twice by thugs from entering Ramadan and Deepavali bazaars.

He said he was also chased out in Pasir Gudang in 2015.

“I’m getting used to this.” – June 11, 2017.