Johor ban holds sway

JOHOR BARU: There was no rally in Johor yesterday, following the royal ban on street demonstrations in the state to prevent disruption of public order.

Spots such as the Dataran Bandaraya that had been filled by Bersih supporters in the past was empty and there was no sign of Red Shirts either.

On Nov 3, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had issued a decree to put a stop on Bersih supporters from holding rallies in the state.

The ruler said Johor’s public order should not be disrupted and the state’s image as a peaceful state tarnished.

Johor police chief Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said the police would stand firm in upholding Sultan Ibrahim’s decree.

“For Johor, Sultan Ibrahim has prohibited any form of street demonstrations in the state and we (police) will ensure the ruling is enforced. We will take necessary action in accordance to the law should anyone insists on holding any illegal assembly in the state.”

Wan Ahmad added that neither arrest nor application had been made by any quarter to hold large assemblies.

Restaurant operator Laili Salleh said she was relieved that no street demonstration was held here, as it would affect businesses.

“For those who wish to gather in large numbers, please do so indoors or away from commercial areas. People like me run businesses to make a living.”

In Kuching, the Bersih rally received lukewarm response from people in the state, with less than 200 rally-goers turning up for the gathering near the amphitheatre in Jalan Budaya.

The gathering, which started at about 4pm, was called off 90 minutes later due to heavy rain, washing away the movement’s hope to achieve its target of 5,000 people.

In George Town, some 30 Bersih supporters, who gathered since 10am and left at 1pm, were under close supervision by the police at the Esplanade here.

The rally’s coordinator, Wilson Moorty, said the poor turnout was probably because of the invitations that were only sent out via WhatsApp on Friday night.

“We expected this, as some supporters may have decided to join the rally in Kuala Lumpur.”