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Bersih 3.0 supporters at Dataran Merdeka this Saturday will face the same actions taken against activists who occupied the venue recently, said Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail.
“Action has been taken against those kids at Dataran Merdeka... The same action will taken if you (Bersih supporters) do the same,” said Fuad.
Fuad said this when asked how Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would react if the Bersih coalition proceeds with plans to hold a sit-in the square from 2pm to 4pm.
He was speaking at a press conference after a one-hour meeting with Bersih representatives failed to reach an agreement over the venue for the rally.
“Action has been taken against those kids at Dataran Merdeka... The same action will taken if you (Bersih supporters) do the same,” said Fuad.
Fuad said this when asked how Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would react if the Bersih coalition proceeds with plans to hold a sit-in the square from 2pm to 4pm.
He was speaking at a press conference after a one-hour meeting with Bersih representatives failed to reach an agreement over the venue for the rally.
'In case of chaos, blame Bersih'
Asked whether DBKL will seek police help to stop the rally from taking place on Dataran Merdeka, Fuad declined to reveal details.
"When the time comes, you will know. Don't worry... We are ready. We don't allow them to go to Dataran Merdeka... let us do our job,” he said.
When pointed out that a confrontation with the Bersih supporters might create chaos, Fuad said that should this happen, it is the rally organisers that should be blamed.
"Who create the chaos? They create it because they want to go against the laws and (threaten) to sit on the road. I have given them alternatives but they didn't give me any alternative," he said.
In recent days, DBKL has conducted several raids on students and activists who have set up a protest camp at Dataran Merdeka for more than a week as part of a campaign for free tertiary education.
Their tents and belongings have been confiscated by DBKL while two out of six arrested have been charged in court.
"When the time comes, you will know. Don't worry... We are ready. We don't allow them to go to Dataran Merdeka... let us do our job,” he said.
When pointed out that a confrontation with the Bersih supporters might create chaos, Fuad said that should this happen, it is the rally organisers that should be blamed.
"Who create the chaos? They create it because they want to go against the laws and (threaten) to sit on the road. I have given them alternatives but they didn't give me any alternative," he said.
In recent days, DBKL has conducted several raids on students and activists who have set up a protest camp at Dataran Merdeka for more than a week as part of a campaign for free tertiary education.
Their tents and belongings have been confiscated by DBKL while two out of six arrested have been charged in court.
Bersih sticks to Dataran
Prior to Fuad’s press conference, Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told reporters the coalition still hoped that Fuad will change his mind before Saturday.
Prior to Fuad’s press conference, Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told reporters the coalition still hoped that Fuad will change his mind before Saturday.
Thus, she said Bersih will stick to its original plan to hold the rally at Dataran Merdeka, adding that there was not enough time to change venue.
"If we change place now, it would cause bigger confusion. People will still gather here (Dataran Merdeka) as well as Stadium Merdeka.
"It is just too little time to inform people," she said.
"We would be prepared to discuss with the mayor on crowd control and security issues if he changes his mind... We are hoping that we can make it happen," Ambiga added.
"If we change place now, it would cause bigger confusion. People will still gather here (Dataran Merdeka) as well as Stadium Merdeka.
"It is just too little time to inform people," she said.
"We would be prepared to discuss with the mayor on crowd control and security issues if he changes his mind... We are hoping that we can make it happen," Ambiga added.
[More to follow]
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