The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections 2.0 (Bersih 2.0) expresses its deepest regret over the deputy inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar’s unreasonable rejection of negotiation, sacrificing the interests of the Kuala Lumpur central business district.
Bersih 2.0 points out that the visit of 100,000 Bersih patriots to Kuala Lumpur’s central business district may create a business turnover of at least RM 6 million on transportation, food and shopping.
As most of the rally participants are from outside of central Kuala Lumpur, it is reasonable to estimate that each person will spend at least RM20 on transportation, or RM2 million in total. The bulk of this will be earned by public transport operators, from Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), Transit KL, coach companies to taxi drivers.
Even non-rally-goers will likely visit the city centre by means public transport given the anticipated closure of roads in any situation.
Besides transportation, most of the rally goers will also likely dine in central Kuala Lumpur, some perhaps for three meals. Given the food price hike, we expect an average Bersih patriot will spend up to RM20 for food and beverage before, during and after the march.
The bulk of the RM2 million will likely go to restaurants, stalls and mobile hawkers around Kampung Baru, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Puduraya, Masjid Jamek, Central Market, Jalan Petaling and KL Sentral.
In conjunction with the Malaysian Mega Sales promotion, many rally participants are likely to shop in Sogo, KLCC, Pavilion, Time Squares, Putra Palace, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Little India, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi, Brickfields, Jalan Petaling and Central Market. Per capita spending of RM 20 will be considered a conservative estimate.
On top of this, some rally goers may even patronise hotels and backpackers in Kuala Lumpur, creating wealth for the hospitality industry, adding more to the RM6 million business opportunity.
Bersih 2.0 therefore reminds the police that rallies, like concerts, carnivals, festivals and sport events, are pro-business. Kuala Lumpur would be an international laughing stock if the police had locked down the city on last Sunday to prevent the Standard Chartered International Marathon.
Luckily, the police instead closed down certain roads in Kuala Lumpur up to eight hours, directed traffic and maintained order, making the Marathon a big success and helping Kuala Lumpur to stand out on global map of events.
Bersih 2.0 called upon the police to employ common sense and be pro-business in dealing with the July 9 rallies as they did in the Standard Chartered International Marathon. With negotiated routes, the rallies can make everyone a winner.
Bersih 2.0 therefore called upon the IGP Ismail Omar to continue negotiating with Bersih and two other rally organisers on the routes. Negotiation must be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. In fact, personal ego, institutional pride and partisanship must give way to national interests.
Bersih 2.0 believes, the public will only praise the Police for their professionalism, impartiality and business-friendly attitude should they negotiate with the rally organisers to find a win-win solution. Bersih is looking forward to meeting Ismail Omar next week for a reasonable outcome.
Bersih 2.0 reminds the police that, even detention of Bersih leadership under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will not stop the Bersih 2.0 rally. Instead, more will turn up on July 9 in solidarity. All the public relations effort and investment by the Government will be undone by the police.
Should the peaceful Bersih rally be marred with permitted violence by agent provocateurs, as how thugs were permitted by police’s inaction to surround the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s headquarters and Penang chief minister’s residence and threaten violence, the police will also only tarnish its own and the country’s image irrecoverably, undermining the government’s effort in steering economic growth.
