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.