By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
July 01, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — The police have shut out all forms of negotiations with organisers of the upcoming July 9 rallies, with Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar warning today that the police will make sure the rallies do not take place.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police said that there would be no more room for discussions, and warned the organisers — Bersih, Perkasa and Umno Youth — to be prepared to be arrested if they did not abort the rally.
“We have given them explanations and warnings and reminders, but they do not heed. We will make sure the rallies do not take place.”
“We will not discuss anymore. Be ready to face the laws of this country,” he said.
Khalid, speaking at a hastily called press conference at Bukit Aman, did not discount the possibility of using the Internal Security Act (ISA) against those involved in the upcoming rallies.
“I won’t discount it,” he said.
Bersih had yesterday asked the police to suggest a route for its July 9 march to ensure that its rally goes off without a hitch.
Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said the election watchdog presented the suggestion to the Inspector-General of Police in the hope that he would be open-minded and work with Bersih.