The planned Bersih 4 public gathering this weekend in the federal capital is deemed prohibited or illegal as the organisers have failed to meet a condition in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, reports Bernama.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Tajuddin Md Isa said based on Section 9 of the Act, the organisers must obtain the permission of the owner of the venues they planned to hold the rally.
However, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has stood firm in not allowing the rally to be held in the city, particularly Dataran Merdeka and Dataran DBKL and the surrounding areas.
“We will take stern action (against the rally participants) under the existing legal provisions. We have laws, so respect the laws,” he said at a joint news conference with Kuala Lumpur mayor Mhd Amin Nordin in Kuala Lumpur today.
Tajuddin said police had no problem with assisting the rally organisers if they fully followed the law and hold the planned rally at a closed area such as a stadium, as suggested by Mhd Amin.
Meanwhile, Mhd Amin reiterated DBKL’s stand of not allowing the Bersih 4 rally to be held at Dataran Merdeka and Dataran DBKL.
According to Bernama, he said DBKL was instead prepared to allow the organisers to use Titiwangsa Stadium, which is under the care of DBKL, for the rally or to assist them in applying for use of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil to the National Sports Council or the Merdeka Stadium, to Permodalan Nasional Berhad.
Warning for NGOs
Meanwhile, Yayasan Ayahanda Semalaysia also warned NGOs not to participate in the planned rally.
The foundation’s executive chairperson, Syed Husain Al Shahab, said regardless of what Bersih had said, it was clear that they wanted to topple the government using undemocratic means.
In calling a press conference today, Syed Husain had confirmed that there were rumours that several NGO members would be present during the rally as they have been “influenced” by the “sweet promises” from Bersih.
“So we have prohibited members of NGOs from joining this rally, if they still get involved, then it is up to their own respective organisations to take action,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
He also expressed disappointment with the police as well as the Home Ministry for not taking serious action against the organisers.
“If laws are not used, then what’s the use of laws being passed in Parliament?” he queried.
Stressing that the matter should not be taken lightly, Syed Husain said doing so would lead to more rallies.
“They have done Bersih 1, 2 and 3, now it’s the fourth one. After this there’s going to be a fifth and a sixth.
“It will be a norm where there will be demonstrations every month. Then Malaysia will be known by monthly demonstrations,” he said. - M'kini
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