WHY BAN DEMOCRATIC SELF-EXPRESSION?

By : UBF MEDIA

THE UNITED Borneo Front (UBF) strongly believes that the federal government must give the Bersih to rally peacefully inside a stadium and not make it difficult for the people to access the venue by creating many roadblocks.

Its President, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, said in statement here that by creating unnecessary road blocks, it is the police which will be creating traffic havoc and not the rally participants. He said that the government has also been very inconsistent in its decision on the proposed rally.

“The government was the one who suggested that the rally be held in a stadium, but when that was agreed to, they changed their mind and wants to enforce a ban in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

“By doing so they have proven to be inconsistent and may have defied the decision of the Yang DiPertuan Agong.”

He made the observation that the government has become extremely paranoid by imposing a ban on yellow T-shirts, and banning certain people from entering the national capital.

“The government must realize that by repressing the people’s right of association and movement, and closing all avenues of democratic self-expression, it runs the great risk of a powerful backlash in the next general election,” he said.

“If they are not allowed the basic rights, they will naturally go underground and strategise in ways which will not be easily monitored.”

“We appeal to the government sense of reason and fairness and also allow the Sabahans Bersih members and supporters to assemble within confined venues such as community halls,’ he said.

- Sabahkini