Teo
KOTA KINABALU: The state government is offering Penampang Stadium to the organizer of the Bersih 4.0 to hold its rally on August 29, said Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
Although the state government does not agree with the objectives of the rally, he said it has offered the alternative venue.
Teo advised the organizer to formally apply to the Penampang District Council to use the stadium for the gathering.
Bersih 4.0 chairperson Jannie Lasimbang, when contacted yesterday, said they were offered to hold the rally in districts other than Kota Kinabalu, specifically in Penampang.
However, she said this would defeat the purpose of holding the rally as Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the state, and holding it elsewhere would not have the impact.
Bersih 4.0 has wanted to use the Tanjung Lipat recreational park for the gathering but it was rejected by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall on three grounds – the park only allows recreational programme; City Hall does not want disturbance of peace and quality time of park visitors; and the activities will cause traffic congestion.
Jannie had said that the Pesta Demokrasi Bersih 4 KK would definitely proceed despite unconstitutional use of intimidation by the authorities.
Teo said yesterday that the insistence of Bersih 4.0 to hold its protest gathering at the Tanjung Lipat recreational park despite not obtaining an approval from Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the police is an irresponsible act.
“Whatever name you call it, be it Pesta Demokrasi or cultural extravaganza, it is going to deny park visitors who would like to enjoy the recreational facilities over the weekend.
“It will cause traffic jams, thus a nuisance to road users in that area,” he said in his statement issued on behalf of the state government yesterday.
Teo added that protests and rallies were not the culture in Sabah.
Furthermore, he pointed out that no one could guarantee that there would not be any untoward incident in the event.
“Do not disturb the peace and harmony in the state,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Bersih Sabah said yesterday that it would continue to negotiate with the police after the Bersih 4 rally was given the green light to take place in Kuching.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abd Rahman had said on Sunday that the rally would not be allowed as it did not have the permission from City Hall to use the Tanjung Lipat recreational park.