China’s ambassador to Malaysia paid a visit to Petaling Street’s Chinatwon district today, and warned against using mob violence to upend order and safety in the country.
Ambassador Dr Huang Huikang said Beijing was oppposed to terrorism, extremism and any forms of racial discrimination.
Huang added that the Chinese government would not hesitate to voice its concerns on matters taking place in Malaysia that would adversely affect its relationship with Putrajaya, or jeopardise the rights and safety of Chinese citizens in Malaysia.
During his visit to Petaling Street, Huang handed out festive mooncakes to traders in the area, in conjunction with the Mid Autumn Festival. He also expressed his admiration for KL Chinatown’s mix of cultures, in terms of its tourist demographic and the makeup of Petaling Street’s trader community.
“Business is good here. There are many tourists. I am proud to see Chinese traders working closely with Malay and Indian traders in harmony in developing this area,” he said, as quoted by The Star Online‘s Qishin Tariq and Adrian Chan.
Petaling Street has been the focus of intense public attention since Malaysia Day, when red shirted protesters attending the pro-Najib Gathering for Malay Dignity attempted to breach police barricades blocking access to the majority-ethnic Chinese tourist location. Federal Reserve Unit troops in riot gear and water cannon trucks were deployed to defuse the situation.
Red Shirt spokesperson Jamal Md Yunos, who is also Sungai Besar UMNO division chief, threatened a follow-up gathering of Malay protesters in Petaling Street on Saturday, saying that unless authorities punish Chinese traders in the area for selling counterfeit products, there would be a riot.
