Perkasa is heading a counter rally in a war to stop Bersih from continuing street demonstrations.
KUALA LUMPUR: An anti-Bersih movement was launched today by Malay right-wing group Perkasa with the main aim of stopping the July 9 rally organised by polls watchdog Bersih.
Perkasa’s chief Ibrahim Ali said the new umbrella coalition formed to work against Bersih will be called NGO-NGO Prihatin Keamanan Negara, or simply known as Gerak Aman.
It was launched at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman field in Kampung Baru today. Their plan is to start gathering at night before the July 9 morning Bersih rally.
“Our main gathering point would be at Jalan Bellamy (near the Istana Negara) and we’ll gather on the eve of July 9 at night,” said Ibrahim.
Other gathering points include the National Mosque compound, Dataran Merdeka, the Stadium Merdeka compound and Istana Negara.
“I will call off our gathering if Bersih calls off its,” said Ibrahim, stressing that their counter demonstration was within their democratic right in a guided democracy.
“We are NGOs without political affiliation,” he added.
Bersih has planned to hold a massive rally on July 9 to call for a clean and fair elections. Its organisers have insisted that their rally will be peaceful. The police have warned them against holding the rally, labelling it as an illegal assembly.
Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin accused the opposition of pushing for the Bersih rally to create tension in the country.
Bersih is officially launching its call for the rally for a clean elections later tonight. It is also expected to explain why it wants to hold the peaceful rally.
General ready for war
Earlier during his speech, Ibrahim likened himself as a general in a war to stop Bersih from continuing street demonstrations.
“We will wage a war against them at all cost to stop them from demonstrating because we want a peaceful nation.”
His announcement of the anti-Bersih rally was attended by about 500 people. He said that Perkasa’s demonstrators could be arrested by the police for their rally, and perhaps even face the Internal Security Act.
“However we do have about nine lawyers who will defend you if you are detained,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Ibrahim also welcomed a move by Umno Youth to hold its own rally on July 9 to back the Election Commission and the electoral process in the country.
He also stressed that Umno Youth’s plans to demonstrate had nothing to do with Perkasa.
“Congratulations to Umno Youth but it would be better if you come as BN youth,” he said.
Ambiga is Anwar’s tool
He also lashed out at Bersih for holding the rally on behest of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
“This has nothing to do with the Election Commission. It is held only because Anwar failed in his Sept 16 (2009) promise (to takeover the government),” Ibrahim said.
“They want a Tahrir Square because Anwar knows that he’ll fail to get hold of the federal government through the polls,” he said in reference to the rallying point in Egypt.
“He wants to over throw the (BN) government,” Ibrahim added.
He said Bersih chairperson S Ambiga was being made a tool of the opposition, and proceeded to hit out at her for highlighting various controversial issues in the past.
“She was involved in defending Lina Joy, the Interfaith Council and a conversion forum. Soon she will become the spiritual advisor of PAS,” he added.
He also announced plans to organise a forum involving EC to discuss the issues revolving elections.
The launch was also attended by a handful of Indian representatives and about 40 Chinese from an NGO call Angkatan Rakyat Insaf.
Others included Kulim-Bandar Baharu’s independent MP Zulkifli Noordin and former deputy minister, Khalid Yunus.
Outside the venue, representatives of the various NGOs burned banners that had Ambiga’s photo on it.
A leaflet with the title ‘Awas!! Ambiga Wanita Hindu Yang Merbahaya’ was also distributed.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.