After his offer to help Bersih secure a stadium for its upcoming rally was spurned, Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang recalled seemingly violent incidents during the electoral watchdog’s previous street protests.
He posted several photographs on Twitter, among them showing a group of people overturning a car with a cracked windscreen.
“These are some scenes at Bersih street demo in the past. This is what may happen. Avoid it!
“Unfortunately, Bersih turns down Gerakan Youth's offer to use a stadium for their demo. Let's pray it won't turn into violent street demo like 2012,” he tweeted.
"Views can be heard whether in stadium or streets. Press can cover Bersih demo in stadium. Question is why insist on street demo?" he added.
these are some scenes at Bersih street demo in the past. This is what may happen. Avoid it! pic.twitter.com/ZcNh1Fooo8
— Tan Keng Liang (@tankengliang) August 4, 2016
Meanwhile, his deputy Andy Yong said that a person need not resort to doing something extreme in order to exhibit his or her love for the nation.
He said Malaysians should refrain from casting a negative impression or criticising their country in foreign lands.
"It is proven that the Japanese or mainland Chinese would rarely or never talk bad about their governments outside their countries even if they disliked them,” he added.
Yong was responding to Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, who urged all Malaysians to do their part with regard to the upcoming rally organised by the electoral watchdog.
Apart from urging GlobalBersih to act as well, she described the rally as a clarion call for all those who love Malaysia.
However, Yong said several political parties and NGO groups had often aroused the anger and frustrations of the common people by promoting radical expressions of nationalistic ideas to shift the focus of the masses for their long-term personal gains.
“As we are celebrating national day this month, demonstrations and rallies that will result in violence cannot represent the love for one’s nation.
“I think truly loving our nation means being patriotic by accomplishing our duties as Malaysians and bringing people together for the common good.
“We must be considerate of the privacy of others and obey the laws of the land,” he added.
For this to happen, Yong said political instability should end.
“I think federal or state government and political parties should be both ready and eager to solve problems with devotion and focus,” he added.
Dubbed Bersih 5, the rally aims to push for action against 1MDB in light of the United States Department of Justice’s court filings alleging the firm’s funds had been abused.
Bersih has yet to reveal details on the date and venue for the rally.