Road to Ambiga’s home sealed off

About 60 DBKL and 20 policemen are guarding the road leading to Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga's home

UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the police have blocked the road leading to the home of Bersih 3.0 co-chairperson S Ambiga at Bukit Damansara.

However, the plans by the petty traders to set up stalls in front of Ambiga’s house was called off.

The authorities erected the roadblocks at about 2pm, with about 60 DBKL officers and 20 policemen stationed at the site.

About 60 members of the Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Council members led by Jamal Md Yunus, wearing yellow shirts, arrived at the scene at about 4pm.

Another group of 50 youths from the Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia also arrived at the scene,wearing white shirts, shouting “Bersih Kotor” and “Halau Ambiga”.

At about 5pm, under police order, the groups dispersed peacefully.

Speaking later, Brickfields district police chief Wan Bari Abdul Wan Khalid said he was glad that no untoward incident happened during the gatherings.

“All parties have delivered their memorandums and I’m happy that it was peaceful. I would like to thank everyone for this,” Wan Bari said.

Asked how many police officers were stationed at the scene, he refused to comment.

“There were enough police,” he said.

Queried on the presence of young teenagers under the Gerakan Belia banner, Wan Bari said he would look into the matter.

Traders say sorry

Earlier, Jamal announced that the traders would cancel their plans to set up the stalls.

Reading from a prepared statement, he said they had no intention of creating trouble but wanted to highlight the losses they have incurred during the Bersih 3.0 rally.

“I would like to apologise to Ambiga’s neighbours for all this. We just want to claim our rights and want Ambiga to stop organising rallies as it can cause problems to many including us traders,” he said.

Jamal said that he would organise a gathering in Bukit Jalil on June 23 to promote peace.

“We will erect our stalls there instead,” he said.

Jamal also denied having ties with the Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia and said the latter had nothing to do with the petty traders.

“Probably they knew we were coming here and wanted to come to create problems. The petty traders are here in peace,” said Jamal.

‘We love peace’

Jamal had a round of negotiations with DBKL deputy director-general of socio economic development Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz over erecting the stalls near Ambiga’s place.

However, Amin stood firm over his decision not to allow the stalls to be erected.

He also said he came to show support for his officers.

“I’m glad that the traders did not cause any ruckus,” he added.

Meanwhile, about 50 motorcyclists arrived at the scene in show of support for the traders.

Calling themselves Pemuda Melayu SeMalaysia, its representative, who only wished to be known as Aikal, said they came to protest against Bersih 3.0.

“We love peace and don’t want chaos in the country,” Aikal said.

He added that the traders had suffered heavy lossed during the rally and they needed some support for their cause.

“Besides, it’s not like Ambiga is going to compensate them,” he said.

Earlier, several Bersih leaders were seen arriving at Ambiga’s house, including co-chairperson A Samad Said and steering committee member Hishamuddin Rais.

Also present were Women AID Organisation president Ivy Josiah, Wargaman secretary-general S Bharatidasan and lawyer-activist Haris Ibrahim.