Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has become the first Pakatan Rakyat leader to oppose having the Bersih 3.0 rally at Dataran Merdeka.
Tunku Abdul Aziz, who is also DAP vice-chairperson, said he is opposed to street demonstrations and warned that the event planned for this Saturday will cause chaos.
"They all start with peaceful intentions, no one want to cause chaos... But it can turn out to be violent and when that happens, who will be responsible?" he said.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tunku Abdul Aziz said it "irresponsible" of opposition lawmakers to support holding the rally at Dataran Merdeka because he believes act violates the law.
He added that Bersih should take up the authorities' offer for an alternative venue as they are better at deciding security concerns.
"The whole idea is to protest. Why does it matter where? DBKL is the owner of (Dataran Merdeka)," he said.
Tunku Abdul Aziz, who is also DAP vice-chairperson, said he is opposed to street demonstrations and warned that the event planned for this Saturday will cause chaos.
"They all start with peaceful intentions, no one want to cause chaos... But it can turn out to be violent and when that happens, who will be responsible?" he said.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tunku Abdul Aziz said it "irresponsible" of opposition lawmakers to support holding the rally at Dataran Merdeka because he believes act violates the law.
He added that Bersih should take up the authorities' offer for an alternative venue as they are better at deciding security concerns.
"The whole idea is to protest. Why does it matter where? DBKL is the owner of (Dataran Merdeka)," he said.
Personal opinion
Asked if his views goes against the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Tunku Abdul Aziz said he has "all (his) adult life" been a defender of individual freedoms and human rights.
"I am not opposed to assembly, the law provides for us to assemble but what I'm saying is: Who is responsible for security in our country? The police.
"Whatever we do, we have to consult the police. If they advise us (to) change our route (or) should do it somewhere else, that' what we should do because (they) are an established legal authority," he said.
He also admits that not all laws are good laws but as leaders and lawmakers, they should push for change in Parliament and not on the streets.
The 78-year-old, however, noted that this is his personal opinion which he has raised with his DAP colleague.
He also cannot say if others within Pakatan Rakyat share his views.
"We may be part of any party or organisation but that does not mean we abandon our conscience," he said.
"I am not opposed to assembly, the law provides for us to assemble but what I'm saying is: Who is responsible for security in our country? The police.
"Whatever we do, we have to consult the police. If they advise us (to) change our route (or) should do it somewhere else, that' what we should do because (they) are an established legal authority," he said.
He also admits that not all laws are good laws but as leaders and lawmakers, they should push for change in Parliament and not on the streets.
The 78-year-old, however, noted that this is his personal opinion which he has raised with his DAP colleague.
He also cannot say if others within Pakatan Rakyat share his views.
"We may be part of any party or organisation but that does not mean we abandon our conscience," he said.
In face of tyranny
In a related development, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said DAP fully supports the Bersih rally at Dataran Merdeka and vowed to mobilise its members.
Lim said that DAP was strongly opposed to the actions and warnings against the rally by the federal government, especially Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
He said such fear tactics proves that BN's administration is dictatorial and tyranical.
"As American President Thomas Jefferson said: When a government fears the people, there is liberty; When the people fear the government, there is tyranny," he said.
Lim said that DAP was strongly opposed to the actions and warnings against the rally by the federal government, especially Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
He said such fear tactics proves that BN's administration is dictatorial and tyranical.
"As American President Thomas Jefferson said: When a government fears the people, there is liberty; When the people fear the government, there is tyranny," he said.
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