Bersih remains adamant on rally

The New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a stand-off between police and the organiser of the July 9 rally.

While police yesterday insisted that they would not allow any rally, Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk S. Ambiga insisted that they would go on.

Ambiga told the New Straits Times yesterday that they are currently mapping out a route for the march to Istana Negara.

In a meeting with police on Thursday, Ambiga had suggested that police map out the route so that they could effectively control the crowd. This was rejected by the cops in the interest of public safety.

Ambiga said this left them with no choice but to map out their own route.

"A committee has been formed for this and a meeting to discuss the route will be held soon," Ambiga said.

"We will announce the intended route to the public once it has been determined."

She said she had intended to continue their discussions with the police in hopes of achieving an amicable solution.

"But if all else fails, we will still go on with the rally until the very end, despite the police saying they will no longer negotiate with Bersih on the matter."

Ambiga said they realised they would face stiff police resistance but it will be "worth it".

"We are fighting for our fundamental rights. I believe it is an insult to the people when the police say the event will turn violent, as if we are so immature that we are incapable of holding a peaceful rally," she said.

Bersih claimed it would have 5,000 marshals who would be in charge of crowd control.

"Many of these marshals were present at Bersih's 2007 rally. They know what to expect and how to defuse tension." 

She said the intended rally was not about which political parties win in elections.

"The argument against us, that opposition had won numerous seats in past general and by-elections, therefore, the election processes are working, is irrelevant.

"The Bersih movement is about compelling reforms to ensure the results, regardless of who it favours, accurately reflect the will of the people. The rally will serve to raise public awareness."