Weekly Discussion #6: To take to the streets or not

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Taking protests to the streets seem to be on the rise whether peaceful or not or legally organised or not. Come July 9, Bersih 2.0 rally is scheduled for July 9 in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Bersih is a Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections that aims for electoral reforms.

Bersih’s first rally was held in 2007, where up to 65,000 people were reported to be involved. The rally was said to have played a major role in bringing record gains for the opposition electoral pact in the 2008 general election.

Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s insistence that the rally would take place despite warnings by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar that the illegal protesters would be arrested and the protest rally to counter Bersih’s march by Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) on the same date has got Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem worried.

Bersih 2.0 is expected to be made up of more than 60 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“Bersih, which is expected to gather some 200,000 demonstrators, would be marching from the Masjid Negara to Istana Negara.

“On the other side, Perkasa with its 100,000 expected protesters of Bersih’s rally would be marching to Istana Negara as well.

“If this planned procession happens, I worry that the demonstration would turn ugly with fighting,” Riot said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has issued a second reminder to members of the public not to take part in illegal street demonstrations planned for July 9.

“The demonstrations can cause tension among the people. As such, as responsible Malaysians, do not make a choice that can aggravate the situation,” he said.

Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said detaining those involved in the proposed illegal rally might not be the best solution, as to him, it would be better for the government to inform the people about the consequences when taking part in such rally.

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