If you have been scrolling through social media yesterday, then you would have definitely come across the latest controversial act committed by Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, which has gotten Malaysians into an uproar.
Source: NST
Just in case you weren’t aware of what happened, let us provide you with a quick recap. Since the Better Beer Festival has been cancelled and Malaysians everywhere have been debating about Oktoberfest celebrations held in other locations around the country, Jamal wanted to show his stance on the matter in a more creative way. Well, it certainly got everyone’s attention!
He brought about 10 crates of beer labelled with the Better Beer Festival logo to the Selangor state secretariat building (SUK) yesterday morning (October 5), as he wanted to deliver it to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
However, he was stopped at the gate by the security guard, which was when he decided to produce a sledgehammer to smash the bottles to smithereens!
Source: NST
Jamal was followed by 25 other supporters who left after the demonstration. However, he didn’t escape that public act of protest unscathed, as recent reports from NST stated that he and seven of his supporters were arrested following a police report from the security guard. Eh, what about the other 18?
The group was arrested in Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam this morning at around 1.45am and will be brought to the Shah Alam court later today.
Source: NST
Source: Malaysiakini
Meanwhile, Selangor Criminal Investigations Department chief Assistant Commissioner Fadzil Ahmat addressed the issue, saying,
“Investigations are being carried out under Section 143 of the Penal Code for participating in an illegal assembly, read together with Section 268 of the same code for (creating a) public nuisance.” If found guilty, he could be facing up to six months, a fine or both.
It seems that his actions were not only criticised by those who supported the festival, but by his colleagues as well. According to FMT, Selangor Umno clarified that Jamal, who is the infamous Red Shirts leader and Sungai Besar Umno division chief, was “not doing it in the name of Selangor Umno.”
Source: Chinapress
Source: Chinapress
Selangor Umno information chief Zein Isma Ismail said, “Jamal did not do it in the name of Selangor Umno, but under the capacity of the NGOs Coalition. It so happens that he is a member of the Selangor Umno liaison committee.”
MCA also condemned his actions and said the group should be charged with littering, being a public nuisance, attempted vandalism and destruction of public property, criminal intimidation and harassment, and sedition.
However, Jamal is not backing down from his views and even managed to issue a statement before he was brought into court. According to The Star, he said in a press conference,
“My friends and I who are arrested might end up being charged and thrown in jail but we don’t care. The fight against beer festivals will go on. Our arrest today does not even deter our determination to see beer festivals from being cancelled, banned and not allowed in Selangor.”
Source: Malaysiakini
Imagine the mess the poor staff had to clean up after that!
Let’s hope authorities take the appropriate measures to resolve this issue soon.
Also read: Malaysian Netizen Proved That Jamal LIED About Having No Water In His House
