JASIN: The Defence Ministry alleges there is an attempt by some Opposition leaders to topple the Federal Government by staging an uprising like in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.
Describing this as very serious and a threat to national security, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Armed Forces, which had begun to monitor such activities, would take action if necessary.
“I have also discussed the matter with commanders in the military, Air Force and Navy,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said intelligence gathering indicated that some Opposition leaders might try to create unrest by organising illegal street demonstrations and rallies, which would then deteriorate into mass civil disobedience to spark a coup d’etat.
“If they fail to win the Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections, the Opposition will blame the Election Commission for being undemocratic,” he said.
“We are concerned that they are attempting to stir the emotions of the people by claiming that the current Barisan Nasional leadership was autocratic and undemocratic,” he said, adding that the momentum of dissatisfaction against Barisan could pick up if such statements continued.
Earlier, MIC Youth chief T. Mohan said the party was optimistic about garnering 80% support from younger Indian voters in Merlimau.
He said party workers were getting positive feedback, especially from the predominantly Indian areas in Merlimau Utara and Jasin Lalang.
“Barisan is still a favourite despite the smear campaign that Indians are sidelined by current leaders,” he said, adding that party workers would focus their efforts on fence-sitters.
However, he said voters had complained that some leaders in the Youth’s wing were not friendly.
“This type of mindset should be scrapped as the younger electorate wants to see friendlier MIC leaders,” he said.
Merlimau has 1,512 Indian voters.
