Arrest looms for Ambiga, opposition leaders

KL police have obtained a court order to prevent 91 individuals, including Ibrahim Ali and Khairy Jamaluddin, from setting foot in several parts of the city on July 9.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan and opposition leaders will be arrested should they enter certain parts of the city on Saturday.
The police had obtained a court order to restrict 91 inviduals, including Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali, from setting foot in several places on that day.

Other notable names on the list were Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

City police chief Amar Singh said the order was not for the whole of Kuala Lumpur but for certain areas such as Dataran Merdeka, Sogo, Istana Negara, Masjid Negara, Maju Junction and so forth.

However, he added that Stadium Merdeka, which was where Bersih 2.0 intends to hold its rally, was not on the list.

The order prevents those on the list, which also includes Bersih 2.0 steering committee members, from being present at these areas from 8am to 6pm.

Responding to a question, Amar denied that Ambiga was the topmost name on the list.

“No such thing. All 91 names are there, and nobody is considered top priority,” he said, adding that those who defied the order would be arrested.

“First of all, you will be violating a court order and secondly, they will be liable under Section 188 of the Penal Code,” he told FMT.

Those found guilty of committing an offence under Section 188 with regard to disobeying orders could be jailed for one month, fined RM400 or both.

The section also stipulated that if the offenders’

actions result in riots or endagers human lives, health or safety, a jail term of six months or a fine of RM2,000 or both could be imposed.

When quizzed on the police deployment for Saturday, Amar said sufficient number of personnel would be present but refused to reveal the exact figure.

Bersih is keen to hold its rally at Stadium Merdeka while Perkasa has applied to Stadium Titiwangsa for its anti-Bersih gathering. Umno Youth has decided to call off its pro-Election Commission rally after the King’s statement on Sunday calling for cool heads to prevail and not to engage in street protest .

Immediate reactions:

Wong Chin Huat, Bersih steering committee member:
“We are talking about a gathering of at least 100,000 people. You put 66 (from Bersih) on the list, how much difference does it make? That leaves 99 936 people left. How many people can you take it? The list does not make a real difference.”

Fadiah Nadwa Fikri from Lawyers For Liberty:
“I just found out. I feel like screaming my lungs out! I am very upset with the government. How do we expect them to govern if they are so paranoid of activists.”

Salahuddin Ayub, PAS vice-president:
“Very undemocratic of the government. Najib has to fulfill his promise of providing a stadium for us. We fulfilled our end by discussing the best way forward. Then all of a sudden, surprisingly, the list of the names come out. What is this all about? Najib has failed as a prime minister.”

Tengku Azman, Umno Youth exco:
“I will abide the police instructions for the sake of public harmony.”

Y Kohila, PSM/grassroots movement Jerit:
“I will still attend the rally.”

Lau Weng San, DAP’s Kampung Tungku assemblyman:
“I missed a very good business opportunity as I had placed orders for mineral waters and was planning to sell it on that day. I’m joking. But I think this whole thing is outrageous. I haven’t made up my mind on what to do next but I am surprised I’m in the list. I’m one of the least influential people compared to others.

They’ve obviously not done a very good assessment. At the moment I think the police have lost all direction in  managing this. They should engage with Bersih istead of the clampdown.”

Khairy Jamaluddin, Umno Youth chief (in his tweet):
“Just landed back in KL after trying to break Israeli blockade of Gaza only to find that I’ve been blockaded from KL. Excuse me if I say WTF?”

Nurul Izzah Anwar, PKR vice-president:
“The madness of the authorities knows no bounds. But mark my words, all Malaysia will remember this; and Malaysians are wise enough to discern the noticeable differences between how Bersih 2.0 and non Bersih 2.0 activists are treated. We will march on.
(In her tweet) “Sorry to break this to u, officer. But I live in KL….”

Tian Chua, PKR vice-president:
“It’s ridiculous. How am I to serve my constitution? We are Kuala Lumpur MPs. They cannot deny our presence in our constituencies. Ten out of 11 KL constituencies have Pakatan Rakyat MPs. What are they saying? I cannot even come out of my house to get wantan mee?”

Lim Kit Siang, DAP leader:
“Malaysia has descended into an alarmist stage.”

Teresa Kok, Selangor senior state exco, Seputeh MP:
“This is unconstitutional, restricting our movements. Worse than communist regime!”

Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, PAS’ Kuala Selangor MP:
“This is disgraceful, especially after giving the impression that they were engaging Bersih 2.0 and political parties. It’s Malaysia’s way of stifling democratic freedom, through a court injunction. This is undemocratic, mala fide. Najib is irresponsible, stoking hatred and animosity.”

Haris Ibrahim, Bersih steering committee member:
“If a law is bad, break it.”