KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today he would hold Pakatan Rakyat (PR) responsible if the July 9 Bersih rally caused chaos in the country.

The Prime Minister (picture) warned those planning to take part in the rally that they must be ready to face the “consequences” for their actions.

“If you have the guts, contest in elections; if you don’t have the guts, then do it (rallies) in the streets, and face the consequences.

“They (PR) will be responsible if the country is in chaos,” he said when opening the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) annual meeting here today.

Najib charged that the Bersih rally was not about handing over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or fighting for fair elections, but was motivated by the opposition’s political motives to take over Putrajaya.

“Do not stir trouble or wreak havoc just for political power,” he said.

“Political power is in the hands of the people, not in the streets.”

The first rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the capital’s street before they were dispersed by police with tear gas and water cannons.

Malay rights group Perkasa has threatened a counter rally if Bersih continues with its plans while Umno Youth said it would hold a rally in support of the Election Commission, which is the subject of Bersih’s demands.

PAS has asked for one million members to take to the streets on July 9 to support Bersih, which has also organised rallies in several cities in the world.