Why should colouring contest require permit, Bersih asks Ku Nan

Electoral reforms group Bersih 2.0 is asking Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor why the need for a permit to hold its Yellow Mania festival. – Pic courtesy of Bersih 2.0, January 1, 2016.

Electoral reforms group Bersih 2.0 today questioned the need for a permit to hold its Yellow Mania festival as the event will be held in a private space.

Bersih 2.0 secretariat manager Mandeep Singh took issue with comments by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who was reported saying that a permit was required.

"What permit? Takkan peraduan mewarna, program kanak-kanak pun nak kena ada permit (Do we have to have permit for colouring contest, children programmes)," Mandeep said when contacted.

He added that a colouring contest and other activities for children will be among the programmes at the five day festival to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall from January 6 to 10.

"The festival will be held in an enclosed space, on a private property belonging to the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

"What permit are we talking about as we are not going to march or gather at public places," said Mandeep when contacted by The Malaysian Insider for a response to Tengku Adnan's remarks this morning that Bersih 2.0 needed a permit to hold the festival.

The Star Online reported Tengku Adnan as saying that organisers would need to apply for a permit unless the event was held in an enclosed space.

"If it is an enclosed space, we will allow it. We do not want them to hold it in an open area," he was quoted as saying by the news portal.

Tengku Adnan also questioned the objective of the event and called on Malaysians to stand together.

Mandeep said such remarks showed Putrajaya's "paranoia" when it involved events organised by the electoral reform group.

"What are they trying to imply? Why need to be afraid of Bersih," he said.

Other activities at the festival include a film screening of The Lady, a movie about Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, and a photo exhibition of the Bersih 4 protest held on August 29 and 30 last year.

The Yellow Mania festival will also feature a stand-up comedy session by actor and former radio deejay Patrick Teoh and poetry readings.

There will also be forums and discussions on issues such as the campaign to oppose the National Security Council Bill.

Mandeep previously said the festival was a way to raise more awareness on democratic reforms and to reach the civil society group's "silent supporters" who may not have joined their street rallies in the past.

The Bersih 4 rally, its fourth street demonstration since 2007, was held for 34 hours last August and drew hundreds of thousands of yellow-clad people despite an eleventh-hour ban on wearing yellow T-shirts with "Bersih 4".

It was held to demand democratic reforms and the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over alleged financial scandals linked to state firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah was charged in early November under the Peaceful Assembly Act with failing to notify the police of the assembly. She has pleaded not guilty.

Under the law, a permit is not required for street rallies but organisers have to inform the police of their gathering ten days before the event. The Court of Appeal, however, has deemed that requirement unconstitutional in a separate case.

- TMI