Mahathir warns against rioting

Mahathir warns against rioting

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia can surmount its economic woes if
riots are avoided as the government crafts its recovery plan, the
prime minister said yesterday.

"We can overcome this economic crisis if everybody continues
to be calm and there's no rioting," Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad told a group of contractors.

Rumors of ethnic riots swept through the capital two weeks
ago, which sparked panic buying at supermarkets and forced many
to rush home from work and bolt their doors.

Three people have been arrested under the Internal Security
Act, which permits jail without trial, for allegedly circulating
riot rumors on the Internet.

Mahathir said last weekend the government may adopt drastic
new measures to prevent further economic deterioration. He warned
some people might be shocked.