By Clara Chooi
July 06, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Despite being allowed to hold a stadium rally this Saturday, protestors found with pro-Bersih 2.0 materials will still be arrested, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said today.
This, he said, was because the coalition was still deemed an unlawful organisation and any item, whether “songkoks or T-shirts” are still disallowed.
“On clothing or items with Bersih motifs on them, as far as we are concerned, Bersih 2.0 has been gazetted as illegal so anything to do with Bersih 2.0 will be wrong, will be disallowed and we will take action,” he told a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters this afternoon.
As such, Khalid warned protestors against the use of any pro-Bersih paraphernalia at the planned gathering this Saturday or in the days leading up to it.
He agreed that even if the coalition were to be granted a permit for the rally, anyone found with materials in support of the outlawed group would be hauled in.
“Yes. It is an offence. Bersih is an illegal society so we advise them not to use materials supporting it. Anything showing support of Bersih is illegal,” he said.
Police have continued with its pre-rally clampdown on Bersih 2.0 supporters despite the apparent truce between the government and the coalition.
Bersih 2.0 is made up of over 62 non-governmental organisations and is holding a rally this Saturday to push for electoral reform.
Khalid also moved to defend the police’s hard-line stance in handling Bersih 2.0 protestors, explaining that they were merely carrying out their lawful duties.
When pointed out that Umno Youth’s “Patriot” group was also an unregistered organisation and questioned why their red-shirted supporters were not similarly detained, Khalid said the question should not be posed to him.
“What we do is in accordance with the law. Like I said — Bersih has been gazetted as an illegal organisation. So we have to take action.
“Why Patriot has not been declared illegal, do not ask me. We only carry out our orders and we are enforcers of the law,” he said.
Umno Youth had initially planned to hold its own rally this Saturday but called it off following the King’s request for a truce last Sunday.
Its members have also been accused of holding a demonstration outside PKR’s headquarters in Tropicana last Monday, allege
#1 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 7:04 pm
Remember Najib said and I paraphrase: I will defend Putrajaya at all costs.
Well, everybody thought for a moment Najib lost face with the offer of a stadium. Now we know Najib’s true colours…he never meant he’d personally approve it. BERSIH has to go thru all the rigmarole and get all the bricks and bats and PDRM strewn in their way. First, a stadium approval, next a police permit….then what next?
Gee, I scent a Lady Macbeth here: ……look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it”,
It’s serpent’s venom, perkasa. Watch out.
#2 by dcasey on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 7:25 pm
It’s not the scent of Lady Macbeth but rather the scent of mama ros and it stinks to high heaven. Even the serpent will puke venom and poison itself!!!
#3 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 7:43 pm
What is coming out of Najib, Hishamuddin, the police mouth is SIMPLY sheer CHILDISH IDIOCY. We are governed by spoilt children not matured adults who understand serious issues and matters.
They are basically saying push come to shove TREASON is not out of the question if they have to do it. They are saying the govt belongs to them – UMNO/BN, not to Malaysians, not to Malays. They are saying UMNO/BN is not Malay..
Its petulant childish idiocy…
#4 by monsterball on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 8:17 pm
There is no end to this bunch of dirty politicians and their side kicks creating havoc and confusions.
They are bend to govern forever or else.
They are experts to twist and turn..insults….bully and provoke.
Malaysians need to stay calm and speak with their votes.
Be patient as time is against them…..not People Power.
Do not get angry or easily provoked.
This is a Cosmopolitan country…and vast majority wishes to be known as Malaysians..first…race second.
That itself will kill off UMNO B sooner or later.
#5 by habis on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 8:28 pm
Never never place your trust and hope in Najis.You help me wait I see first then I help you.Now you can use the stadium wait apply first police permit then about turn.Bersih Najis words have no honour and promises are meant to be broken.Ha ha road-blocks everywhere in and out of KL.This is BN my friend.You have make Malaysia a world laughing stock cause what Democracy in Malaysia has gone to the dogs.Up to now not a whimper from BN coalition partners.Shame on the leaders and the more you pressure the rakyat the better will be the backlash and anger towards BN who will be like the Democrats in Thailand REJECTED by the rakyat.
#6 by baochingtian on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - 11:27 pm
Commoners arrested for alleged sale of Bersih T-shirts are those from PR states ie. Kedah and Kelantan. Umno B is flexing their muscle and showing colors to the people despite acknowledgement of Bersih rally by the Yang Di Pertuan Agong
#7 by waterfrontcoolie on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 12:01 am
IT IS SIGN OF FEARS! FEARS TO FALL! FEAR OF COLLAPSING! fEARS OF THEIR OWN SHADOWS! FEARS OF EVERYTHING EXCEPT THEIR OWN WANTONNESS!
#8 by Taxidriver on Thursday, 7 July 2011 - 3:27 am
Famous quote by Najib ” Be fair to me. Judge me by my works ”
????????????
#9 by Joshua on Friday, 8 July 2011 - 2:09 am
Every thing good or bad can be gazetted even against public interest..
It is indeed at mighty speed that Bersih is gazetted as illegal.
As the GE 2004 and GE 2008’s results were gazetted but loaded with frauds, should be held in contempt of true justice as the criminals are reigning in the illegal Governments – Federal & State.
If the illegal PM (not in position through deceit) and BN are not afraid, please open up all the data and records of GE 2004 and GE2008 in the Courts now or in a RCI, then we go back to see those skeletons.
When that happen the Bersih 2.0 demonstration becomes obsolete.
Act now for the true, fair, free and transparent General Elections otherwise GE13 remains a fraudulent misadventure of the nation.