Kuala Lumpur city mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail today said Bersih cannot hold its rally at Dataran Merdeka because it contained political and dissenting elements.

"We stress that the use of Dataran Merdeka was rejected in line with DBKL's (policy to) reject any activities that have similar characteristics such as wanting to give ceramah, having political elements or dissenting elements, this is not the place for it," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Last week, DBKL had rejected Bersih's request to hold its rally at Dataran Merdeka on grounds that it was not a national event.

However, Bersih had questioned why a private company, Nestle, was able to hold its anniversary there on March 19 despite it not being a national occasion.

NONE Responding to this, Ahmad Fuad ( right ) said aside from national events, sporting and cultural events are also allowed to be held at Dataran Merdeka.

“Nestle’s 100-year anniversary provided alot of entertainment to everyone and its guest of honour was the Selangor sultan, do we not want to question it.

“We can use our discretion to consider cultural events... the purpose then was for entertainment not for politics, do not mix it with politics,” he said, adding that the anniversary had also attracted many tourists.

Ahmad Fuad said DBKL had also rejected applications from groups to hold events of similar nature at Dataran Merdeka, such as the anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT) rally held last Saturday and Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali pro-royalty rally planned a day after Bersih 3.0's sit-in protest.

‘Take home minister’s offer’

The mayor urged Bersih to consider Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s offer for the Bersih rally to be held at Stadium Merdeka or the Bukit Jalil national stadium.

“If they want, DBKL also have two other stadiums, one in Cheras and another at Tasik Titiwangsa,” he said.

Debunking Bersih’s claim that its rally would create business opportunities, Ahmad Fuad said he had received complaints over the rally.

“They (Bersih) said the more the merrier but it doesn’t work that way, when people are worried they will go somewhere else, the locals need to make a living.

“Taxis will get stuck in the jam and normal citizens who are not related to the event would also become trapped... whatever it is they should not cause inconvenience to others,” he said.

Asked what would be DBKL’s next course action be if Bersih insists on proceeding at Dataran Merdeka, Ahmad Fuad said a decision would only be made when the day comes.

“If you beat the red traffic light, maybe nothing would happen but it is still against the law,” he said.

Bersih is expected to hold a meeting tonight to consider the alternative venue offers it has received.