Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah says the two-day August 29 rally to press for the prime minister's resignation will proceed despite the police chief's reminders yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 17, 2015.
Election reforms group Bersih 2.0 has shrugged off concerns that its rally on August 29 would coincide with Merdeka Day rehearsals and hinder plans to camp at Dataran Merdeka, and said the two-day protest will go ahead.
Its chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said they had not heard of any planned rehearsal to take place in the days leading up to the 34-hour rally, which is scheduled to be held from August 29 to 30.
"But even if they are there, we will try to move as close as possible to Dataran, in the event we can't go in.
"We will camp at the surrounding areas of Dataran," she told The Malaysian Insider.
The Merdeka Day parade takes place in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on August 31, and usually dry runs and rehearsals take place at the venue a few days earlier.
Bersih's plan to hold its fourth rally there had raise questions if it would disrupt the rehearsals or if the authorities would move in to prevent them from camping there.
Maria also shrugged off the issue of traffic congestion that may arise if they decided to camp at the surrounding areas around Dataran.
"The rehearsals will disrupt traffic anyway, so what's the difference," she said, referring to the expected road closures.
The Bersih 4 rally will also be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak as well as major cities worldwide.
Its demands this time are for clean elections, corrupt-free government, the right to protest, strengthening of parliament democracy and saving the economy.
Participants should congregate at Brickfields, Pasar Seni, Sogo, the National Mosque and Dataran Maybank - before making their way to Dataran Merdeka.
Protesters are also advised to bring along sleeping bags, tents and other necessities for the rally.
Various activities have been planned, including civic education workshops, public debates, cultural performances and speeches by community leaders.
Launching the rally last Friday, Maria said Bersih 4 was a manifestation of the voices of Malaysians and served as a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
She said the gathering, aimed at pressuring Najib to step down, will also send a message that a change of prime minister does not mean anything if the current political system remains.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar called the organisers selfish and fuelled by an agenda to topple the government for going ahead with the rally despite disruptions to daily life especially traders and taxi drivers.
"Let's try to look at it this way, when they hold rallies, all the shops have to close. Don't they (traders) have any rights, please consider the rights of others as well," he reportedly said.
Khalid said he also noted that the Bersih rally was no longer about fighting for clean elections but rather focused on toppling the government.
- TMI
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