President of the World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Lee Fan-hsin says that demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have ended peacefully without the ethnic violence some had feared.
Malaysia’s Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) demonstrated at the end of last month to protest against corruption and the incumbent prime minister. On Wednesday, supporters of the prime minister rallied to protest against Bersih.
According to a report by Reuters Wednesday, some of the prime minister’s mostly ethnic Malay supporters attempted to break past a barrier blocking their entry in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. The report says that some shouted slogans against Malaysia’s sizeable ethnic Chinese community, which is seen as backing Bersih.
In a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Lee said that the demonstrations were not against ethnic Chinese people. He also said that ethnic violence like Malaysia has seen in the past is unlikely to break out again.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry has been concerned about the safety of Taiwanese people currently staying in Kuala Lumpur. The ministry sent out messages two days before the demonstration reminding Taiwanese people in Kuala Lumpur to be cautious of personal safety.