opposition leaders condemned the pepper spray attack on former
premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kelantan Friday.
Ruling Umno leaders described the attack as "rude" while
opposition leaders said it was "a despicable act".
"Those responsible were not grateful to the immense contribution
of Dr Mahathir to the nation," said Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk
Seri Shahidan Kassim.
He urged the police to quickly investigate the incident and nab
the miscreants.
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang described the incident as
"despicable"
unacceptable and must not be allowed to take root in Malaysia."
"However strongly one disagrees with another, and undoubtedly Dr
Mahathir is the object of powerful sentiments of both animosity
and support, there can be no excuse for such a physical attack,"
he said in a statement Friday.
He urged the police to quickly investigate the incident and book
the culprits.
"(It's) not so much because he was the former Prime Minister but
because like any other Malaysian, he should have freedom of
movement, speech and _expression without the fear of loutish and
gangsterish elements taking the law into their own hands," he
said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also condemned
the attack and demanded stern action to be taken against those
responsible.
Dr Mahathir, widely credited for transforming Malaysia from an
economic backwaters into Asia's economic power, was reportedly
having trouble breathing after the attack but recovered quickly
and went on with his programme.
The 80 year-old former premier was sprayed with pepper as he
prepared to address a public meeting in Kota Baharu, the capital
of PAS-ruled Kelantan State.
