Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Bersih 2.0 supporters will be held responsible if Saudi Arabia bans Malaysians from performing the Haj or Umrah in the future.

Ahmad Zahid was responding to Mingguan Malaysia's , the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia , front page report on purported probe by Saudi authorities on two gatherings held by Bersih supporters in Mecca and Madinah on April 28.

The report, which quoted an anonymous source purportedly close to the Saudi government, said the Saudi authorities are hunting down those supporters.

These alleged Saudi targets reportedly made speeches which were considered as an attempt to encourage Saudis to join the 'Arab Spring' revolution.

Ahmad Zahid said Saudi authorities viewed the two gatherings with great concern.

"Saudi Arabia is most sensitive about demonstrations or illegal gatherings held there.

"Once, when the people of an Islamic country held demonstrations in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia refused to allow pilgrims from that country to perform the Haj and Umrah for three years," he said, according to Bernama .

Saudi don't like demonstrations

Ahmad Zahid said the organisers of the gathering should be prepared to pay a heavy price if the Saudi Arabian authorities imposed restrictions on pilgrims from Malaysia.

"I am most concerned that the organisers do not seem to know the sensitivity Saudi Arabia attaches to demonstrations. Is this the way to demand a change because we have to adhere to the laws of another country?

"I do not think Saudi Arabia will remain silent following the uploading of pictures on YouTube and Facebook . We have to bear in mind that their military intelligence is most efficient as they often face such situations involving other countries," he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno vice-president, said street demonstrations were not proper for a country like Malaysia.

"I feel it is improper to seek influence by staging demonstrations or street politics," he said.

Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after the launch of a motorcycle convoy in conjunction with the 66th anniversary of Umno.