DAP senator says 'no' to Bersih rally at Dataran

DAP senator says 'no' to Bersih rally at Dataran

Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has become the first Pakatan
Rakyat leader to oppose having the Bersih 3.0 rally at Dataran
Merdeka.

Tunku Abdul Aziz, who is also DAP vice-chairperson, said he is opposed
to street demonstrations and warned that the event planned for this
Saturday will cause chaos.

"They all start with peaceful intentions, no one want to cause
chaos... But it can turn out to be violent and when that happens, who
will be responsible?" he said.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tunku Abdul Aziz said
it "irresponsible" of opposition lawmakers to support holding the
rally at Dataran Merdeka because he believes act violates the law.

He added that Bersih should take up the authorities' offer for an
alternative venue as they are better at deciding security concerns.

"The whole idea is to protest. Why does it matter where? DBKL is the
owner of (Dataran Merdeka)," he said.

Personal opinion

Asked if his views goes against the constitutional right to peaceful
assembly, Tunku Abdul Aziz said he has "all (his) adult life" been a
defender of individual freedoms and human rights.

"I am not opposed to assembly, the law provides for us to assemble but
what I'm saying is: Who is responsible for security in our country?
The police.

"Whatever we do, we have to consult the police. If they advise us (to)
change our route (or) should do it somewhere else, that' what we
should do because (they) are an established legal authority," he said.

He also admits that not all laws are good laws but as leaders and
lawmakers, they should push for change in Parliament and not on the
streets.

The 78-year-old, however, noted that this is his personal opinion
which he has raised with his DAP colleague.

He also cannot say if others within Pakatan Rakyat share his views.

"We may be part of any party or organisation but that does not mean we
abandon our conscience," he said.

In face of tyranny

In a related development, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said DAP
fully supports the Bersih rally at Dataran Merdeka and vowed to
mobilise its members.

Lim said that DAP was strongly opposed to the actions and warnings
against the rally by the federal government, especially Kuala Lumpur
City Hall (DBKL).

He said such fear tactics proves that BN's administration is
dictatorial and tyranical.

"As American President Thomas Jefferson said: When a government fears
the people, there is liberty; When the people fear the government,
there is tyranny," he said.