Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee wants Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreeenevasan to stop spreading 'malicious lies' with regard to the upcoming Bersih rally.
Commenting on her article in the New York Times today, Syed Ali claimed Ambiga had 'maliciously gone to town' with allegations and assumptions in an attempt to drum up support for herself and stir up emotions a week ahead of the planned rally.
In a blog post today, he went on to say it was highly suspect that Ambiga’s only intention seemed to be the toppling of a democratically-elected government.
“And Ambiga and the other Bersih leaders have the audacity to hold a street rally during the Merdeka Day celebrations.
“Have they no respect for our forefathers who fought for the independence of our nation?” he asked, adding that the Bersih rally was clearly a 'dirty tactic to mar the Merdeka celebrations'.
Ambiga in hercomment piece today said that the people are taking to the streets for Bersih 4 because they face being 'cheated once again' out of another election.
Syed Ali (photo) said Ambiga had also indulged in a commentary padded with 'shoddy reasoning' for the overthrow of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“She has concocted a fairy tale about the Election Commission ensuring the prime minister and BN will stay in power through gerrymandering and other fraudulent ways.
She also alleges that the upcoming Sarawak election will be rigged to keep the government in power.
'Selective amnesia' charge
“Yes, BN and Umno have their flaws, just like any other political party in the world. And yes, Najib is embattled by allegations of corruption, which he has denied.
“But by colluding with the opposition, Ambiga is dogmatic about ripping apart the image of the country. And the foreign media is more than happy to lap it up.
Syed Ali also claimed that the opposition was not free of flaws, alleging that they receive foreign funding, too.
“Has Ambiga ever questioned the political infighting amongst the opposition parties? Has she ever vehemently condemned the party-hopping that the opposition encourages?"
Stating that it was obvious that Ambiga had 'selective amnesia', Syed Ali said she had obviously decided to rubbish the leadership of the country and instigate people to create an anarchy through street demonstrations.
“She should be ashamed of herself and we as Malaysians should reject her calls to go to the streets next week.
“Yes we need the space to criticise the government in a constructive manner. But we certainly don't need saboteurs who create panic and disharmony just to feed their ego and political ambitions,” he said.
Ambiga today had also said the mega-rally, slated on Aug 29 and Aug 30, was critical as the country’s ruling party was 'facing its greatest crisis of legitimacy yet' compounded by the 1MDB scandal.