Irresponsible groups will incite chaos, says Chandra

KUALA LUMPUR: Prominent social activist Dr Chandra Muzaffar yesterday said he feared there would be individuals and groups waiting to exploit the planned Bersih 4.0 rally to deliberately create chaos and violence.

Chandra said although street protests were legal and legitimate, and protected by citizens’ right to assemble peacefully under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, he still had the nagging fear of chaos and violence which could lead to an emergency being declared.

He said Bersih’s assurance of peaceful protests is easier said than done because, if things get out of hand, the organisers would be helpless to do anything about it.

“It cannot even prevent the protesters from bringing their small kids to these rallies, as seen in the past. What more can one say about such irresponsible act,” he added.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, meanwhile, said street demonstrations were alien to our political culture as they do not solve problems and, what more, are aimed at interfering with the democratic process of the country.

“They are aimed at inciting the people to rebel. This is not our practice; the country’s democratic process enables the people to choose any political party as the ruling party, apart from being free to express antigovernment views.”

This time around, Bersih 4.0 will be carried out with the objective of seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and calling for clean governance.

Salleh said any change of government or leader in this country is done via the ballot box, not by trying to ape events like the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt, Libya or Tunisia, or violent Bangkok-style demonstrations that lasted weeks on end.

“Political activities in Malaysia should be carried out in a gentlemanly manner. It is time for the country to have a political onseason and off-season, so that people can get on with their work or business without worrying about street protests.

“And with the next general election only a little over two years away, politicians and politically-inclined NGOs like Bersih should lead the way forward,” he added. – Bernama