Putrajaya defends Bersih 2.0 suit, says ‘obvious’ group broke the law

The federal government is suing the steering committee of Bersih 2.0 for alleged damages amounting to RM122,000 that were incurred during the April 28 rally. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Putrajaya has defended its decision to sue Bersih 2.0 for damages resulting from its April 28 rally, saying it was “obvious” that the polls watchdog had violated provisions in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011.

De facto law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz brushed aside critics of the move, pointing out that the Act was now in place and those who breach it must be duly punished.

“Obviously, they have broken the law. And nobody is above the law,” he told The Malaysian Insider yesterday.

The Padang Rengas MP added that Bersih 2.0 leaders were clearly aware of the provisions in the Act, which came into force just days before the rally, and should not feign surprise at being sued for damages.

“They were aware and they knew the consequences of their actions. So now, whether people may think it is right or wrong, this is for the court to decide. Let the court decide,” he said.

“Furthermore, those who are now saying that they are against the government’s suit are the same people who supported those who broke the law in the first place,” he added, referring to Bersih 2.0.

He said the government would proceed with the suit despite the criticism and would continue to use the law whenever necessary.

“We will go ahead. And action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law, regardless of their affiliations,” he said.

The federal government is suing the steering committee of Bersih 2.0 for alleged damages amounting to RM122,000 that were incurred during the April 28 rally organised by the electoral reform movement.

The 10 Bersih leaders, spearheaded by Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, are the first persons to be sued for damages under the Peaceful Assembly Act, less than a month after the new law aimed at allowing public gatherings “in accordance with international norms” was enforced.

But Bersih 2.0 said yesterday that it is well-prepared to defend itself in the suit and is even starting a special fund to finance the legal costs.

“We are ready to defend it and defend it vigorously. We have found a lot of lawyers who are ready to take our case,” Ambiga told reporters during a press conference outside her house here.

Obviously, they have broken the law. And nobody is above the law. — Nazri Aziz

The Bersih co-chairman said that supporters as well as her neighbours have already started to raise funds, and thanked them for “being supportive in facing what we are going to face.”

A copy of the writ of summons sent to The Malaysian Insider on Wednesday said the government was suing Bersih under Section 6(2)(g) of the law which states that organisers must “ensure that the assembly will not endanger health or cause damage to property or the environment.”

“The plaintiff charges that the defendants failed to carry out their statutory responsibility when the assembly went out of control and turned into a riot, causing damage to vehicles owned by the plaintiff,” the writ said.

The statement of claims lists 15 vehicles, mostly belonging to the police, that had to be repaired at a cost of RM122,000.

The government also wants general damages, interest and a declaration that Bersih breached Section 6(2)(g).

The action comes after PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, deputy president Azmin Ali and Rembau chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin were charged with taking part in the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally under section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said when tabling the law in Parliament last year that it would be “revolutionary” and would allow Malaysians to participate in public gatherings “in accordance with international norms.”

The case is set for mention on June 13 before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Prasad Sandosham Abraham.

The April 28 rally that saw tens of thousands gather at six different locations before heading to Dataran Merdeka was peaceful until about 2.30pm when Ambiga asked the crowd to disperse.

But her announcement was not heard by most of the crowd who persisted to linger around the historic square which the court had already barred to the public over the weekend.

Just before 3pm, some protestors breached the barricade surrounding the landmark, leading police to disperse the crowd with tear gas and water cannons.

Police then continued to pursue rally-goers down several streets amid chaotic scenes which saw violence from both sides over the next four hours.

Several dozen demonstrators have claimed that they were assaulted by groups of over 10 policemen at a time and visual evidence appears to back their claim but police also point to violence from rally-goers who also attacked a police car.

The police car then crashed into a building before some protestors flipped it on its side.