Blocking Bersih has hurt BN, says deputy minister

The Malaysian Insider – Sat, Jul 9, 2011

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By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — A Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy minister lamented today the failure of the ruling coalition to discuss terms with the outlawed Bersih 2.0, whose supporters have amassed in the city by the tens of thousands despite a police lockdown of the capital.

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah told The Malaysian Insider that the government “should have discussed the proposal on how to address a peaceful assembly” as recommended by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

“In terms of political communication, we have lots of repair to do,” the deputy education minister said.

Although he agreed that a stadium gathering was better than marching in the streets, the Temerloh MP said he disagreed with “some who generalise that once done on the road, it will lead to havoc, because many road demos go peacefully.”

The electoral reforms movement agreed earlier this week to move today’s street rally to a stadium after Datuk Seri Najib Razak had made such an offer on Monday.

This came after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had stepped in to defuse tension on Sunday, calling for the Najib administration and Bersih to negotiate over the issue of free and fair elections.

However, despite the coalition of 62 NGOs accepting the prime minister’s offer, both BN leaders and the police told to move its rally outside of the capital, citing security and congestion issues.

Bersih remained adamant heading towards Stadium Merdeka, resulting in over 500 arrests so far as tens of thousands are now converging on the historical venue.