Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has described the government-appointed inquiry panel on Bersih 3.0 as a “waste of time”.
This, he said, is because the facts surrounding the protest are a foregone conclusion.
"There is nothing to investigate. We already know the rally was illegal and they violated a court order. They intended to breach the barricade (around) Dataran Merdeka," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said there is no need for the government to set up the panel just to placate those who have accused the police of brutality during the protest in Kuala Lumpur on April 28.
This, he said, is because the facts surrounding the protest are a foregone conclusion."There is nothing to investigate. We already know the rally was illegal and they violated a court order. They intended to breach the barricade (around) Dataran Merdeka," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said there is no need for the government to set up the panel just to placate those who have accused the police of brutality during the protest in Kuala Lumpur on April 28.
'Yellow carpet for journalists'
Commenting on allegations of police brutality against journalists during the protest, Ibrahim drew parallels to the behaviour of the press corp in everyday events.
"When there are big events such as gatherings, or conventions, the rules are already set out but journalists still want to rush in and take photographs that even security personnel cannot control them.
"When there are so many people, what do you expect?... there will be pushing and then people will make a fuss out of it, does this mean next time there should be a red carpet for protesters and a yellow carpet for journalists?"
He added that in war zones, journalists are kidnapped and killed, adding "so if jounalists are daring enough (to enter such situation) then they should not blame people when they are kidnapped or killed".
However, Ibrahim was quick to add that he did not intend to offend journalists stating: "I like journalists, or else my news will not be published, I am merely giving an explanation."
He pointed out that the charging of two police officers for allegedly assaulting a journalist during the Bersih protest, had demotivated the force from carrying out their duties".
"I spoke to many police officers and they are demoralised. Even when they try to stop a snatch thief and the thief crashes and breaks his head, the police are blamed."
He added the government need not look into accusations on the police and focus on Bersih participants instead as they were the ones who had breached the barricade at Dataran Merdeka.
"Law is law, the government does not need to be defensive or apologetic," he added.
"When there are big events such as gatherings, or conventions, the rules are already set out but journalists still want to rush in and take photographs that even security personnel cannot control them.
"When there are so many people, what do you expect?... there will be pushing and then people will make a fuss out of it, does this mean next time there should be a red carpet for protesters and a yellow carpet for journalists?"
He added that in war zones, journalists are kidnapped and killed, adding "so if jounalists are daring enough (to enter such situation) then they should not blame people when they are kidnapped or killed".
However, Ibrahim was quick to add that he did not intend to offend journalists stating: "I like journalists, or else my news will not be published, I am merely giving an explanation."
He pointed out that the charging of two police officers for allegedly assaulting a journalist during the Bersih protest, had demotivated the force from carrying out their duties".
"I spoke to many police officers and they are demoralised. Even when they try to stop a snatch thief and the thief crashes and breaks his head, the police are blamed."
He added the government need not look into accusations on the police and focus on Bersih participants instead as they were the ones who had breached the barricade at Dataran Merdeka.
"Law is law, the government does not need to be defensive or apologetic," he added.
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