Ambiga's house to turn into Bersih protest hub

The situation outside the residence of Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga is set to escalate today with four anti- and pro-Bersih groups scheduled to gather there this afternoon.

A traders’ group led by businessman Jamal Md Yunus is planning to hold a street market selling wares and food at the venue in Bukit Damansara starting 3.30pm today to protest alleged loss of business during Bersih 3.0 on April 28.

Another group Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia led by its president Shahrul Nasrun Kamarudin will hold their own protest at 4.30pm called Halau 1.0 (to expel) in protest of the movement for clean and fair elections.

Meanwhile a pro-Bersih group WargaAman has called for a show of support for the Bersih leader at 2pm and Bersih’s own steering committee will also hold a meeting there at 3pm.

By 10am this morning around 10 officers from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) were already at Jalan Setiakasih 1 and Jalan Setiakasih 3 with barricades and cones.

One officer told Malaysiakini he is being stationed there to monitor the situation.

When asked until what time, he said, "We will see."

Several members of the Chinese media have also arrived but there was no sign of any police personnel as of press time.

On Monday DBKLrejected Jamal application for 60 petty traders to set up stalls on the road in front of Ambiga’s house.

However Jamal (right) is adamant on holding the market protest there over alleged business losses incurred during the mammoth Bersih 3.0 rally for electoral reform.

Jamal, who owns a restaurant franchise and a luxury car dealership even offered two luxury cars worth a total of RM1.5 million to entice people to support their cause.

[More to follow]