Hisham: Bersih still an outlaw, T-shirts illegal and status-quo for detainees

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Bersih is still an illegal entity despite the free-and-fair elections watchdog body having met the King and agreeing to hold their July 9 rally in a stadium instead of on the streets.

Based on Hisham's reasoning, nothing could make Bersih legal and while he didn't specify, it looks like Bersih will have to apply for a stadium under a different name or as he put it "platform".

But the biggest blow as a result of his refusal to remove the Bersih "illegal" stamp was that those who had been remanded would not be freed, and those charged for wearing the Bersih yellow T-shirts would still face prosecution. Hisham reiterated the T-shirts would remained "illegal".

“No, they are still banned, still illegal. Nobody can be above the law. Just because Tuanku met them, doesn’t mean they are no longer illegal. They don’t have to apply on the platform of Bersih itself,” said the Home Minister.

'Positive way forward'

Despite placing the obstacles, Hisham insisted that Bersih would get a fair deal when they met Prime Minister Najib Razak over their requests - which included holding the rally at Stadium Merdeka, a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the election system and the immediate release of all Bersih detainees.

“We will allow. The whole point is to allow them to air their grievance. This should be looked at as a positive way forward,” said Hisham.

Nonetheless, the disappointing manner in which Najib had made use of the Palace to browbeat the Bersih organisers into submission is starting to reignite much unhappiness amongst Malaysians, who had looked forward to attending the rally.

Roadblocks scare

Pundits have accused the police of deliberately scaring the public by setting up roadblocks and creating massive traffic jams.

"Our action is preventive. We have a duty to protect the people and ensure public order and security remain peaceful at all times. We hope the public will bear and assist us, as we do not wish to cause or pose any problem. It's just that we have a job to do," Star reported Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah as saying.

Meanwhile, UMNO Youth has 'forbidden' the use of Stadium Merdeka on the grounds that the site had historical significance and should be off-limits to the Bersih supporters.

The stadium, which has a capacity of 50,000 seats, was where first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had declared Malaysia independent from the British.

- Malaysia Chronicle