Take heed of Agong’s call, Najib told

Prime Minister is urged to meet with the rally organisers to pacify escalating tensions among the state apparatus and the rally organisers.

PETALING JAYA: DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and the Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to heed the advise of the King for his administration to hold consultations with Bersih over the issue of free and fair elections.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, amidst escalating tensions among the state apparatus and the rally organisers, issued a rare statement yesterday urging a dialogue towards achieving a consensus on electoral reform and the development of democracy in Malaysia.

Lim today welcomed the Agong’s statement and said that Najib, as a first positive step, should meet with Bersih organisers to address legitimate nationwide concerns about free and fair elections which could be taken account in the next general election.

The second step, said the Ipoh Timur MP, would be for Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to lift the ban on Bersih and release everyone detained in the past week in relation to the July 9 rally.

In a carefully worded statement, the Agong had said: “When any problem arises, we as a civilised society must resolve it through consultations and not follow our emotions, as the Malay saying goes, ‘Yang dikejar tak dapat yang dikendong berciciran’” (Not getting what we chase after and spilling what we carry).

“The fact is, street demonstrations bring more harm than good although the original intention is good. Instead, we should focus on our main objective to develop this country, and not create problems that will cause the country to lag behind.”

Pakatan de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said in a tweet message that he had already contacted Lim and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over the special statement by the Agong.

He also added that the Pakatan alliance will suggest to Bersih to have an audience with the Agong “to present the shortcomings and fraud of the Election Commission”.

The PKR chief who is currently in London also warned of spins to the Agong’s statement by Umno owned media outfits.

The crackdown over Bersih intensified over the weekend after Hisammuddin declared Bersih an outlawed organisation.

More arrests expected

Six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists including Sungai Siput MP Dr Micheal Jeyakumar were detained under the Emergency Ordinance 1969 (EO).

They were re-arrested after their seven-day remand period ended on Saturday. They were originally held in Penang for questioning over allegation of ‘waging war against the King’.

Deputy IGP Abdul Khalid Abu Bakar had said he did not rule out more arrests under the EO. He also said that over 150 people have been arrested to date in relation to Bersih.

Meanwhile, Proham which also welcomed the Agong’s statement, reiterated its stand that there needs to be a middle ground to pacify the growing tensions.

“As loyal subjects of the King, we urge all leaders in government and in civil society to heed His Majesty’s advice and seek a way to address this critical situation,” it said in a statement.

“There is a need for a middle and moderate path where fundamental human rights are exercised with collective responsibility,” it added.

Proham called on Najib to assert his leadership to bring about a “win-win” situation favourable to all parties.

Bersih plans to hold a massive rally on July 9 to seek a clean and fair elections. Malay right wing movement Perkasa said it would be holding a counter-demonstration to oppose Bersih while Umno Youth will also be gathering on the same day to defend the Election Commission.

Police have denied permits to all three organisations to hold the rallies.

In another development today, Bersih chairman S Ambiga said the coalition was seeking an audience with the King and will call off the rally if told to do so by the ruler.