Share |

Monday, 23 May 2011

Bersih should clean up its act, says Home Minister

The Star 
by MOHD FARHAAN SHAH

JOHOR BARU: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) should change its ways and not hold public demonstrations, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“Demonstrations are a nuisance and may backfire.

“They (Bersih) have nothing better to do other than to instil hatred in the hearts and minds of the people and show to the world that our country is chaotic,” he told reporters after attending the closing ceremony of the Pulai Umno meeting here yesterday.

Hishammuddin vowed that police would clamp down on demonstrators if they posed a threat to national security.

He said public security was the main priority for police and that they would take action against demonstrators who create chaos.

Hishammuddin was responding to a report that Bersih was orga­nising a “Walk for Democracy” on July 9 to demand for free and fair elections.

He also said that the ministry had forwarded the proposed amendments to various Acts, including the Internal Security Act, to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Cabinet.

“One proposed amendment will allow rallies to be held in stadiums for which the organiser will not need a permit.

“Let them (demonstrators) shout from morning to evening inside the stadium where they will not create trouble for the public,” he said.

Earlier, Hishammuddin, who is also Umno vice-president, urged the Malays not to choose and follow pemimpin hantu (phantom leaders) who would do anything to gain power.

He said such leaders only thought of their own position and would even sell out their own race and religion for power.

No comments: