MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (pix) has denounced former soldier Mohd Ali Baharom, better known as Ali Tinju, for trying to derail the state government’s objective of continuing the legacy of the Malacca Sultanate in upholding racial harmony.

“It’s not worth mentioning his name at all and giving him unnecessary publicity that would only make him to continue issuing nonsensical and absurd statements. Just blanket him from the media.

“My stance is loud and clear that people with ‘bad intentions’ shouldn’t be entertained in this historic and harmonious state,” he said when contacted on Wednesday night.

Idris said he was working very hard to make Malacca a progressive state and the people should enjoy the fruits of success without being disrupted by anyone with ill intentions.

“I can assure that all Malaccans are safe and no one could utter overt threats or hurt them when I am at helm as the Chief Minister.

“At any cost, I will not allow any person to snatch our solidarity and strong bonds that have been at its pinnacle since time immemorial,” he said.

Idris said Malacca has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries and he will continue to flourish ethnic cohesion to a greater level.

“We have respected each other for many years and those with malice are not welcome here,” he said.

Mohd Ali was planning a rally in defence of Immigration officers who were attacked by thugs in Malacca.

Idris chided Mohd Ali for interfering into Malacca’s affairs and making a mountain out of a molehill on a trivial issue.

“Don’t teach me my job, who does he think he is?” he exclaimed.

Idris said he was aware of any developments taking place in the state, and know what actions to execute, accordingly.

“I have built my grassroots rapport through years of friendship and trust, where every single development whether good or bad, were brought to my attention.

“I am also confident with Malacca police in handling any issues, so let them do their job, too,” he added.

Earlier, state Immigration Department deputy director Abu Bakar Sidek Hassan had told the former soldier not to use an incident on Sept 30 as an excuse to hold his planned rally on Saturday.

Abu Bakar said his men had accepted the incident as a job hazard and brushed off any racial element in the incident which saw some 40 thugs assaulting his officers during a raid at a karaoke outlet in Taman Melaka Raya.

He said the raid at the outlet was conducted following a tip-off that there were a number of foreign guest relation officers without valid documents.

“I don’t understand why the issue has suddenly been blown out of proportion. We never sought any help from Ali Tinju to defend us or utter racially tinged statements,” he added.