Call off rallies, urges Zahid

ILLEGAL: Action will be taken against Bersih, Red Shirts, warns DPM

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday advised Bersih and the Red Shirts group to call off their rallies tomorrow.

He also issued a warning that action would be taken against both parties should they proceed with their plans.

“The best thing to do is to stand down, in order to avoid the (anticipated) clashes from happening.

“I hope that participants on both sides will obey the law,” he said, adding that police would take actions based on existing laws.

Speaking at the Parliament lobby, Zahid, who is home minister, said the authorities had deemed both gatherings to be unlawful and would not hesitate to act against them.

“They must abide by the law and what (Inspector-General of Police) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said was based on the provisions under the Peaceful Assembly Act and related laws.

“Both sides should follow his instructions,” he said.

On Monday, Khalid had warned both Bersih 5 and Red Shirts supporters that police would use tear gas and water cannons to prevent any ugly incidents tomorrow.

He had said police would take measures in accordance with the law against transgressors.

Various parties have expressed fear that there would be clashes between Bersih 5 and Red Shirts supporters.

Meanwhile, MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari, in asking for the rallies to be called off, described Bersih leaders as “stubborn”.

“Unfortunately, the leaders of Bersih 5 seem stubborn and hellbent on causing massive disruption. Because of their selfish and irresponsible behaviour, city folk and businesses will suffer this weekend.”

MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said there were alternative platforms to voice dissatisfaction and holding illegal rallies would only portray Malaysia as being backward.

“Peace and harmony are Malaysia’s strengths. If the rallies are held, it would tarnish the country’s good image.”

Khalid also advised supporters of both sides to stay away from the rallies.

“Both organisers have no permission to use the venue (Dataran Merdeka).

“I have warned many times before that if they insist on holding the rallies, the police will not hesitate to take action if the protesters create problems,” he said at the Federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman after launching a “Palestin Tidak Dilupakan” campaign by non-governmental organisation Aman Palestin.

Khalid said police were ready to deal with rowdy protesters.

He said police would be stationed at various strategic places where protesters of both groups were expected to gather and rally.

“Police have been patient with the Bersih organiser, from the first Bersih rally to Bersih 5.

“The same goes to the Red Shirts, which have planned a ruckus during the rally.

“Why would you want to turn this country into chaos?”

Khalid also dismissed a suggestion from Datuk S. Ambiga that police bar the Red Shirts from holding their counter-rally under a provision in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Khalid said the suggestion was ironic, coming from an organiser who “had repeatedly failed to obey the laws of the country”. Additional reporting by Faisal Asyraf