Deputy Prime Minister Muhyddin Yassin is the latest UMNO leader to tag the Bersih 2.0 rally as undemocratic, just days after Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali had warned against the gathering aimed to pressure the government to conduct the upcoming 13th general election in a free, fair and 'clean' way without dirty politics.
Muhyiddin's basis for saying Bersih 2.0 was undemocratic was because it was "not supported" by all the people. He also feared the rally might be used by those with "political interests".
“The Bersih rally is not supported by the whole rakyat but only a few. Also there will those that will try to use the rally for their own political interests. Are they saying that the Election Commission is not fair? Are they also saying that the seats that Pakatan Rakyat won are not legitimate?" the DPM told reporters on Thursday.
His comments were immediately slammed by the political opposition, who said they only showed up his ignorance of democratic principles and values.
"What a shocking statement coming from the country's official No.2. It shows an utter lack of appreciation of the people's democratic freedoms. How can the exercise of the people's right to free assembly in accordance with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution be undemocratic," PKR vice president N Surendran told Malaysia Chronicle.
"Coming from the DPM, this bodes ill for the nation. It show's BN's and UMNO's utter disregard for the Constitution."
Let the people's voice be heard loud and clear
Bersih organisers have vowed the rally will carry on July 9 unless the Najib administration puts in place measures including the use of indelible ink, clean-up of electoral rolls, fair access for both government and opposition leaders to TV and mainstream media so as to get their messages across.
Orgainising chairman, Ambiga Sreenevasan, a former Bar Council lawyer, has invited BN to join the rally, promising a peaceful walk for democracy without political motivations.
However, Bersih 2.0 is strongly supported by the Pakatan and this given the BN the excuse to tage the rally as a Pakatan event. PAS, which has promised to send 300,000 supporters, has warned the BN and UMNO, in particluar, against scare-monering and bullying tactics.
"These are the very reasons why we support Bersih. To inculcate the value of fair play in everyting we do especially in GE-13 where the people's voice must be allowed to be heard loud and clear," Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli toldMalaysia Chronicle.
"Whatever it is, PAS will support Bersih. We warn UMNO once again, be sure you control Perkasa."
Ultra-Malay rights group Perkasa, along with 36 other NGOs, has promised a counter-march on the same day.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin reiterated that the rally was illegal and the police would not issue any permits.
“I urge them to think this carefully and consider what impact their actions will have to the society. Bersih is an illegal gathering and is against the law,” said Muhyiddin.
- Malaysia Chronicle
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