DBKL: Dataran not venue for politics, dissent

Kuala Lumpur city mayor Fuad Ahmad Ismail today said Bersih cannot hold its rally at Dataran Merdeka because it contained political and dissenting elements.

"We stress that the use of Dataran Merdeka was rejected in line with DBKL's (policy to) reject any activities that have similar characteristics such as wanting to give ceramah, having political elements or dissenting elements, this is not the place for it," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Last week, DBKL had rejected Bersih request to hold its rally at Dataran Merdeka on grounds that it was not a national event.

However, Bersih had question why a private company, Nestle was able to hold its anniversary there on March 19 despite it not being a national occasion.

[More to follow]