“Cina Babi, Penang Cina bodoh", Guan Eng tells police of Perkasa-Umno attacks

Nearly two years ago, the Penang PR state government had set up a Speakers’ Square in Padang Kota Lama to permit not only freedom of speech but also freedom after speech. The Speakers’ Square upholds the spirit of, “I may disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.   The Speakers' Square is for the public to use to allow them to express themselves freely without threats or fear. For this reason the state government has rarely organised any events in Speakers’ corner.

On 26 February 2012, I arrived at 6.30 pm in Padang Kota Lama to attend a Himpunan Hijau 2.0 event organised by a Penang NGO Suaram to object to the Lynas rare earth processing plant in Kuantan. Before my arrival, Penang Senior EXCO member YB Chow Kon Yeow who was there at 6 pm, had informed me by phone of disruption of the peaceful rally by UMNO and Perkasa members.