Bersih has welcomed any individual looking to wear the electoral watchdog’s t-shirt in an effort to attend a solidarity rally for Najib Abdul Razak.
This comes after the former premier’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, asked if those donning a Bersih t-shirt could get past police roadblocks set up to prevent demonstrators from entering Putrajaya for the rally.
In response, Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz indicated he had no problem with it, however, he cautioned that there could be a risk of detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) as was done while Najib was in power.
“Want to wear a Bersih t-shirt? Go ahead.
“I urge the authorities not to detain her (Nooryana) under any law, especially under Sosma, as was done by the government in 2016 to Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah during the Bersih 5 rally,” he said on X today.
Last night, Nooryana had mocked the police's plan to set up roadblocks and expressed surprise at such actions occurring under the Madani government.
“(Protest roadblocks) in the era of 'reformasi'? Can you get through if you're wearing a Bersih t-shirt?" she said in an Instagram story.
While three buses ferrying supporters from Langkawi and Pekan were reportedly prevented from entering Putrajaya by police, at least 1,000 people still managed to gather outside the Palace of Justice for the solidarity rally.
This included politicians from PAS and Umno.
The rally coincides with the Court of Appeal hearing Najib's bid this morning to confirm a royal addendum allowing him to serve his remaining prison sentence under house arrest.
Tables have turned
Former Bersih steering committee secretary Mandeep Singh also took a swipe at Najib’s family since the tables seem to have turned.
"Ah, now you feel it? This is the same method your father used against most of the protests we organised in the past.
"Perhaps you’ve forgotten… we were also detained the night before because your father was afraid of the planned protests in KL," he told Nooryana via several posts on X.
Police had detained Mandeep several times during Najib’s tenure as prime minister, including on the eve of demonstrations.
Mandeep was also arrested together with Maria before the 2016 Bersih rally.
People’s right to assemble
Despite the clapbacks aimed at Nooryana, Faisal pointed out that the people’s right to assemble should be upheld.
“When it comes to the right to assemble peacefully, it is indeed a fundamental right that must be granted to the people, regardless of who is in government or opposition,” he said.
While Mandeep disagreed with the solidarity gathering for Najib, he also supported the right to assemble.
"I do not agree with the police setting up roadblocks across Putrajaya.
"I have always supported the freedom of assembly, which is a fundamental right of every citizen as protected under the Federal Constitution," he said.
The special officer to Communications and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo further urged for Najib to continue his incarceration in Kajang Prison as he remains a convicted criminal.
The former Pekan MP is serving a six-year sentence at Kajang Prison following his corruption conviction in the SRC International case. - Mkini
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