‘Opposition hijacked Bersih’

PBS has denied that it is being two-faced on calls for electoral reforms.

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Umno’s key partner in the state Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, is fully supportive of Berish 2.0′s call for electoral reforms but will not take part in the rally only because it has been hijacked by the opposition.

Party secretary-general Henrynus Amin said PBS agreed with Bersih’s call for fair and free elections.

“We support Bersih’s stated objectives but we will not participate in the illegal rally.

“The fact is, the planned illegal rally is already hijacked by opposition political parties to promote doubtful causes.

“PBS’ view is that the opposition groups are using NGOs to regain their momentum for the forthcoming general election after a series of losses in various by-elections,” he said.

He said now that the planned rally had been hijacked by the opposition, it was no more about seeking electoral reforms but instead would be a replay of the 2007 assembly which saw opposition parties chalk up huge gains in the 2008 polls.

Referring to allegations that PBS was being two-faced about its stand on reforms, he said the party’s decision should not be misconstrued.

“PBS is very clear and has consistently addressed the issue of tainted electoral roll by actively studying the matter and making objections; we have even gone to court to make a case.

“PBS is against the use of illegal street demonstration to make political statements,” he added.

Henrynus also expressed concern over the manner in which “unsuspecting” young people were being recruited over the Internet to “deliberately break the law and create chaos”.

He said that in view of this, PBS fully supported the preventive action by the police.

Indoor rally

Yesterday Bersih 2.0 chairman S Ambiga announced that the rally will be shifted to a stadium.

This followed her audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. She was accompanied by Bersih committee member Zaid Kamaruddin and national laureate A Samad Said.

Speaking to reporters after her audience, Ambiga said: “A rally in the street will not happen.”

“We are grateful for the King’s audience. We are accepting the suggestion of the government of holding the rally in a stadium,” she said.

Following Bersih’s announcement of a peaceful “Walk For Democracy” on July 9, a rattled Umno-linked Malay right-wing group, Perkasa, said it would hold a counter-rally.

Following Perkasa’s announcement, Umno Youth also jumped on the bandwagon.

As tensions escalated and police cast their nets, made numerous arrests and invoked the Emergency Order, the King issued a statement calling upon all quarters to hold consultations rather than follow their emotions.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported yesterday that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would approve Bersih’s plan to hold its rally in a stadium.

“We will agree as long as they stick to the conditions imposed,” he said, adding that he was ready to meet the Bersih organisers if they wanted to meet him.