Perkasa to decide on rally tomorrow

Perkasa approves of Bersih's decision but will only decide whether to proceed with its own rally tomorrow.

PETALING JAYA: Malay rightwing group Perkasa has welcomed the Bersih’s decision to hold the July 9 rally in a stadium, but said it will only decide whether or not to call off its own rally at a meeting tomorrow.

Bersih chairman S Ambiga, steering committee member Zaid Kamaruddin and national laureate A Samad Said were granted an audience by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Abidin at 2pm today after which a decision was made to hold the rally in a stadium.

“We welcome Bersih’s decision,” Perkasa secretary-general, Syed Hassan Syed Ali, told FMT.

“It’s good for the people, country, economy and tourism. We will decide whether or not to proceed with our rally after our executive committee meeting tomorrow.”

Perkasa had consistently stressed that its presence on the ground on July 9 would be purely to preserve the nation’s security. Perkasa also said that it would cancel its rally if the Bersih rally was called off.

“But we also want the police to monitor the rally very closely even though it is being held in an enclosed area,” Syed Hassan added. “We don’t trust these people… we don’t trust them.”

He also admitted that Perkasa was disappointed that Bersih was granted an audience with the King.
Perkasa chief, Ibrahim Ali, yesterday railed at Bersih leaders for being “insolent” and “holding the King to ransom” by demanding an audience with him.

Ibrahim pointed out that similar requests by Perkasa had been turned down and asked that the King ignore Bersih’s request as well.

“We feel that the King shouldn’t have indulged Bersih,” Syed Hassan said.

“Ambiga asked to see the King like he was her uncle or something. But the fact is that our King is willing to meet with them for the sake of his people’s safety. And we deeply respect him for that.”

Meanwhile Umno Youth chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, confirmed that he has already called off the rally by Umno Youth scheduled for the same day.

“I called it off yesterday, ” he said in a text message to FMT. “We will not be holding any other rally in another venue.”

Khairy is currently abroad on a mission to Gaza.