Three groups planning separate rallies on July 9 have been summoned to Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

NONE He said representatives of the groups are being called in because they intend to hold their respective protests without the requisite police permit.

The three groups are the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), Malay rights pressure group Perkasa and Umno Youth.

“The police will call all parties involved because although... we (have said) we are not giving permits, statements by Perkasa, Umno Youth and Bersih (have indicated) that they will continue),” he said.

However, he declined to give details as to what would happen when the groups arrive at Bukit Aman.

Hishammuddin would only say: “My statement today is that all three parties will not be granted permits to gather on that date. I am saying categorically that all three will not get it.”

bersih 21 charged in petaling jaya session court 230109 ambiga Bersih 2.0 head Ambiga Sreenevasan (left) , when contacted, said she is unaware of the matter.

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali, meanwhile, refused to speak to Malaysiakini when reached for comments. 

On July 9, Bersih 2.0 plans to gather hundreds of thousands of people to march to Istana Negara to hand over a petition, seeking royal intervention in its push for electoral reform.

To counter this, Perkasa said it will also mobilise thousands on the same day, while Umno Youth plans to do the same.

All three groups, despite being warned, said they would proceed, saying it is their democratic right to assemble.

‘What is Bersih’s real motive?’

Hishammuddin further said he hopes Bersih 2.0 will meet the Election Commission (EC), although the coalition has already rejected the suggestion.

The minister cast doubt on the “actual purpose” of the rally.

“Is (Bersih 2.0) seeking transparency and justice in the context of democracy? Or will they link it to other issues that are political in nature or associate it with racial matters which could jeopardise public safety? My priority is the people’s safety.”

NONE Asked if Ibrahim (right) will be investigated for sedition over his alleged threat to the Chinese Malaysian community, Hishammuddin did not give a direct reply.

“I’ve already said the police will call (in) the three parties... not only Ibrahim Ali. They will be called today, but we do not know if they will come today,” was all he would say.

Ibrahim has since denied that his statement was meant as a threat and accused the media instead of “twisting” his words.

Asked if Perkasa had been given a permit to hold its launch at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kuala Lumpur, Hishammuddin noted that the event was confined to the vicinity of the club, just as the Bersih 2.0 launch was held at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

“Now if you talk about assemblies, the demonstrations on the streets, I’m saying categorically that all there of them will not get it (permits),” added the minister.

53 reports lodged  

Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah, meanwhile, revealed that a total of 53 reports had been lodged with the state police against the rally.

He said the reports were made by people from all walks of life, including individuals, NGOs and taxi drivers.

"We have been receiving the reports since early this month," Bernama reported him as telling the press at the Subang Jaya district police headquarters.

Tun Hisan said the people, especially those in Selangor, should stay away from the assembly, which he said did not have a permit.

"I advise the people of Selangor or those who want to pass through Selangor to get to Kuala Lumpur not to go to the capital city," he said.

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