Sin Chew Daily, December 18, 2014

Johor Baru, Dec 17 – More than 90 Chinese societies have already joined in the signature campaign to counter extremism and support moderation initiated by the Johor Baru Tiong Hua Federation as of today.

Johor Baru Tiong Hua Federation president Datuk Seri Tey Kim Chai thanked political parties from both sides of the divide for lending their support to the federation.

In a meeting with Johor state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders who visited the federation in supporting of the signature campaign this morning, he said all the signatures gathered together with the five main clan associations of Johor Baru would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.

Tey Kim Chai: Receive at least 100 signatures from NGOs

He said the signature campaign ended today, an estimation of at least more than a hundred signatures from various NGOs were obtained.
Also present were Johor Baru Tiong Hua Federation Secretary-General Yap Yuan Ming, Johor opposition leader cum state assemblyman for Skudai Boo Cheng Hau, PAS Johor Commissioner Aminolhuda, secretary Khairuddin and PKR Johor chief Hassan Karim.

Boo Cheng Hau: True democracy must protect freedom of speech

Boo Cheng Hau said a true democracy must protect freedom of speech, repeal of Sedition Act and to reintroduce the local government election system.

He said the re-delineation exercise should be done in accordance with ethnic ratio lest political parties or politicians to follow the extreme path.

Aminolhuda said consensus is very important just like he and Tey Kim Chai were able to reach consensus on countering extremism even though this was the first time they met, this showed that only a small fraction of people were making the extreme statement.

He said PAS would not succumb to extremism as Islam advocates peaceful co-existence irrespective of race and religions.

Hassan Karim said the multi-racial and multi-lingual is not an obstacle but rather a boost to national development.

He opined that the people must stress on moderation to counter extremism so that the harmony of the country would not be jeopardized.

Original Source: 響應新山中華公會簽名運動‧90華團政黨挺中庸