by Boo Su-Lyn
The Malaysian Insider
July 07, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has described silat and other self-defence exponents as the third line of defence in the country, including a group that has threatened to wage war against electoral reforms movement Bersih 2.0.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre), Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (left) and Tan Sri Omardin Mauju at PSSLM’s 50th anniversary. — Picture by Boo Su-Lyn
The Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM) had challenged Bersih for its refusal to abandon a planned rally on July 9 to call for free and fair elections.
“I believe if there are evil enemies who want to attack the country from without and within, ‘anak-anak lincah’ will rise to fight them,” said Najib in a fiery speech last night.
“But tonight, we do not gather to fight,” added the prime minister. “We do not gather to wield the keris (dagger). We gather for the loyalty and unity of our country.”
Najib pointed out that there were non-Malays at the event last night, although silat was a Malay martial art.
“We do not fight the non-Malays. We embrace them as fellow citizens,” said Najib.
PSSLM Mahaguru (grandmaster) Tan Sri Omardin Mauju said last month that silat exponents were Malaysia’s third line of defence after the police and the army.
In his threat to Bersih, Omardin said: “We maintain our stand to go to ‘war’ if they still want to proceed with this illegal rally. If it happens, I cannot guarantee I can control the emotions of my members because they have been taught to act when faced with opposition.”
Police have locked down the capital city and asked residents to bear with the inconveniences as they are looking for weapons that have allegedly been stashed away by unknown people.
Despite a royal audience and Najib’s earlier assurance that the Bersih rally could be held in a stadium, the police have told polls watchdog Bersih to apply for a permit for the event.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar also warned that police would arrest people wearing Bersih T-shirts or found to have pro-Bersih materials as the organization was still considered illegal.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin stepped in on Sunday to defuse tension over the clampdown by advising the Najib administration and Bersih 2.0 to hold consultations over the issue of free and fair elections.
#1 by bruno on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 12:52 pm
Najib,you sleepy head.Don’t you and your HM still do not know who the trouble makers are.They are the factions who are undermining your leadership as PM.You dare used your silat guys on them.If you don’t the Umnoputras will give you the stick soon.
#2 by bruno on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 12:58 pm
PM Najib,the factions oppossing you are really undermining your leadership.They are making you look like a lameduck.They think that you don’t have the marbles to fight back.Why don’t you show them by unleashing your silat boys on them.
#3 by voice2009 on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 1:01 pm
Martial art is for those honor people to uphold justice and live a life with honor
Now, he lead martial art and followers uphold injustice, dishonor, dirty, liar and corruption
Dishonor all in one go
#4 by k1980 on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 1:16 pm
Where were all those Seni Silat Lincah buggahs when Malaya was under the Japs from 1941-1945? Cowering in fear under their mothers’ sarungs! The only ones fighting the Japs were the MPAJA!
#5 by drngsc on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 1:23 pm
Looks like Najib / goumen is looking for a fight.
The GOM presently, is totally freaked out and dysfunctional. The goumen is trying to create chaos.
What shall we do with the present goumen.
We need to change the tenant at Putrajaya.
#6 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 5:10 pm
What third line of defence? You mean the exponents can come into KL on 9th with their keris?
#7 by born in Malaya on Friday, 8 July 2011 - 8:39 am
Najib is just like father like son, inciting riot and threatening to kill innocent Malaysians to protect his unwelcome position.
Najib has created fear to all Malaysians by not allowing a peaceful rally, by setting up road blocks, by warning people not to go KL or be arrested.
How can a Prime Minister inform citizens that he will ask Silat members to start killing the citizens if they joint a protest like Bersih for a good cause. How can he call Bersih evil?.
Is Najib really running a dirty and unfair election?. Why is he so afraid of fair election, is he afraid of the truth?.
What happen to Najib’s 1Malaysia/ People first. Performance now. slogan?. Is 1Malaysia means asking the police to start arresting innocent Malaysians?, asking FRU and silat students to start killing innocent Malaysian citizens?