Kit Siang: Ban on Bersih should be lifted

The PM, Najib Abdul Razak, should overrule Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and lift the ban on Bersih said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang.

He said in a statement today the three grounds given for the ban under the Societies Act do not stand scrutiny and will only expose the government and country to public disdain and international scorn.

Bersih is not guilty of the first ground, "Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country," he added.

"Those guilty are Perkasa and Umno Youth, with the former even threatening another May 13 what with the warning to the Chinese to stay indoors and to stock up food, and Umno Youth in front of PKR headquarters threatening violence and chaos."

He asked why had Hishammuddin (right) acted against Bersih, the innocent party, while the culprits, Perkasa and Umno Youth, seem to enjoy immunity and impunity.

He also argued against Reason 2: "Spreading propaganda to incite the people to topple the government by distributing certain leaflets," saying that in the first place, how could a government be toppled by the distribution of leaflets.

"This is a baseless and groundless charge as could be established in any challenge to the authorities to produce evidence to back up this ridiculous allegation."

As for Reason 3: "Its activities have given a bad image to the country, which can threaten and undermine public order, security, economy and the country's sovereignty and affect the harmony of the multiracial community," he said it was Perkasa and Umno Youth which must plead guilty to this charge not Bersih.

"Now, with the outrageous ban on Bersih, the Home Minister is himself guilty of giving Malaysia a bad image which will cause great loss of public and investor confidence in Malaysia detrimental to Malaysia's economic interest and national unity.

"Will Hishammuddin ban himself from committing such disservices to Malaysia?" concluded the MP for Ipoh Timor.