(NST) - The gathering organised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and supported by the opposition parties near the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday was an attempt to topple the government which was elected by the people through a democratic system, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the rally showed that the groups involved did not respect the government which was elected by the people through a valid process.

"They had the intention to take over Dataran Merdeka, not to gather for two or three hours but for two or three days or even longer, to show that the government cannot control the situation.

"They wanted to make Dataran Merdeka like the Tahrir Square in Egypt," he said when launching the Kelantan State 1Malaysia Community Carnival at the Civic Centre Hall, here today.

The Prime Minister, who is on a one-day working visit to the state, was addressing more than 30,000 people who had started to wait for his arrival since 7am at the Civic Centre hall.

Among those attending the event were Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin and Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

The Prime Minister said the government would not compromise with the group in their attempt to bring down the government which was legally chosen by the rakyat.

He said during their attempt to win over Dataran Merdeka, the group had injured a policeman and media personnel, as well as destroyed public property.

The Prime Minister said the rioters also blamed the police for allegedly instigating chaos at the rally.

Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, challenged the group to compete in the election.

"If they are man enough, let's compete through votes in the election," he added.

"I don't deny there may have been some police brutality, but it could be avoided if rally participants obeyed the law approved by Parliament," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government had offered a suitable location for them to demonstrate peacefully, including the Merdeka Stadium, but they had declined.

"They rejected the Mederka Stadium because of their intention, should the country be in harmony and everything is fine, they cannot rule Putrajaya," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib was proud of the public including residents of Gua Musang, who turned out in large numbers at the Civic Centre field, for a peaceful demonstration without creating pandemonium.

"I salute the people of Gua Musang, we can tell those who rallied near Dataran Merdeka that Gua Musang residents are more civilised than them.

"They (Gua Musang residents) portray a community that respects the law and its principles for order in the world," he said.