PUTRAJAYA: More than 500 people from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered here on Friday to call for the resignation of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy.
The NGOs, which come under the banner of Gerakan Pembela Ummah (UMMAH), said Waytha, who is in charge of the unity portfolio, must resign as he failed to adequately tackle the issue of the riots at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang last month, which led to the death of a member of the Fire and Rescue Department.
UMMAH chairman Aminuddin Yahaya said Waytha was entrusted with upholding national unity but failed to do so. The minister, said Aminuddin, had instead blamed the police for allegedly arriving late to the scene of the riot.
“Making things worse, he joined several other ministers in advising the temple representatives that the temple need not be relocated, despite an order from the High Court stating otherwise.
“This was nothing less than a blatant disrespect to the judiciary.
“We in UMMAH are committed to upholding justice for (slain fireman) Muhammad Adib (Mohd Kassim) because he went to the scene to carry out his duties as a fireman. He was not armed, he was there to save lives. Instead, he was assaulted.
“We hope the government will listen to the people so that justice will be obtained for Muhammad Adib,” said Aminuddin after handing over a memorandum to the government, which was received by Abu Bakar Yahya, who represented Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s political secretary.
The gathering began from Dataran Putrajaya after Friday prayers. Demonstrators then marched towards the Prime Minister’s Office to submit the memorandum.
Aminuddin said should the government fail to act, more demonstrations would be held nationwide with an even bigger participation.
He also said Abu Bakar assured him that the matter would be conveyed to the prime minister.