The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) calls upon all concerned Malaysian citizens to hold Thanksgiving Prayers in their respective places of worship for the relatively orderly "rally" held last Saturday.

They may have broken the unjust and uncalled for ban but they did so in a peaceful manner to exercise their right of assembly as enshrined in our Constitution, the inviolate supreme law of our nation.

MCCBCHST is confident that the untoward events of July 9, 2011, could have been prevented if the authorities had dealt with the issues raised by Bersih from the outset at the negotiation table with understanding, compassion, honesty and respect as required in all our great religious teachings.

MCCBCHST reiterates its strong support for every Malaysian's right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in our Federal Constitution under Article 10 (1) (b) and in Article 20 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and remind the authorities that freedom of opinion and expression too is provided for under Article 19 of the UDHR.

The most important lesson to be learnt from the July 9 2011 event is that the authorities must transform their mindset and recognise that Malaysians today are much more learned, informed, matured and sophisticated beings than they are made out to be.

MCCBCHST fully endorses the statement by Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Malaysia (Proham) on the matter:

"The core matter of the Bersih rally must be addressed namely to address the concerns in the election system and the call for a free and fair election. Proham calls for the government to establish an independent mechanism to review these concerns either through a Royal Commission or a Parliamentary Select Committee...'.

MCCBCHST supports the call for the Federal Government to immediately sit with all concerned parties to find an appropriate, just and equitable solution. We reiterate that all dialogue must be based on the principles of understanding, compassion, honesty and respect as required in all our great religious teachings.

Reverend Thomas Philips, President, MCCBCHST

Daozhang Tan Bon Sin, Deputy President, MCCBCHST

Sardar V Harcharan Singh, Vice President, MCCBCHST

Venerable Ming Ji, Vice President, MCCBCHST

RS Mohan Shan, Vice President, MCCBCHST

Prematilaka KD Serisena, Honorary Secretary General, MCCBCHST