The Malaysian government is ramping up pressure on the opposition over a massive rally that turned violent, with senior national leaders, police and clerics weighing in on the issue.
One day after police chief Ismail Omar said his men were working to identify the mastermind behind an alleged attempt to use the rally to overthrow the government, the National Fatwa Council denounced such protests as “haram”.
The government kicked its campaign up a notch as the opposition gave its own version of events yesterday, including instances of alleged police violence during the April 28 rally.
Videos uploaded onto the Internet appeared to show opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gesturing to his right-hand man Azmin Ali who seemingly spoke to a man who proceeded to remove metal barricades put up by police.
The opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance moved to counter the allegations through a nationwide roadshow that began on Monday.
“Both sides are trying to make sure that they don't lose their own supporters. It is important for them that they win this war of public perception,” said Professor P. Sivamurugan, a political analyst at University Sains Malaysia.
Prof Sivamurugan said it is too early to tell which side will win the war of public perception.
“Too many factors are in play this time,” he said.
Source: The Jakarta Post
Jarumemas: Pembangkang telah menanamkan persepsi yang buruk terhadap kerajaan. Biarlah rakyat yang waras dan rasional membuat keputusan mereka.
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