KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — As the conflict rages on over the planned Bersih rally, PAS leaders came out today to declare that such protests were accepted in Islam unless protestors planned to use violence to achieve their goals.
When polled in Parliament today, several MPs from the Islamist party supported the bids by Bersih 2.0, Umno Youth and Malay rights group Perkasa to take to the streets this July 9.
But Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said any attempt to use violent means, usurp the rights of others or threaten any race would immediately turn the rally “un-Islamic”.
Referring to Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s statement on the Chinese community last Sunday, Dzulkefly said it would be considered “very deplorable” if the leader planned to use the rally as a platform to fight the Chinese.
“It is very against Islam. If they want to protest just for the sake of protesting, it is up to them and they have the right to do whatever they want.
“But to protest with a view to threaten and usurp the rights of others in order to express their dissent ... that is un-Islamic,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Ibrahim has come under fire for purportedly saying on Sunday that the Chinese community should stay home and stock up on food on July 9 as “anything could happen.”
His statement has been interpreted by many as a threat to the Chinese community, forcing the outspoken Malay rights leader to the centre of much criticism.
But Ibrahim insisted to reporters today that he had merely been advising the community to stay at home that day to safeguard their interests.
Election watchdog Bersih, a coalition of civil society groups, is organising its second rally to push for free and fair elections this July 9.
The first rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the capital’s streets, before they were dispersed by police armed with tear gas and water cannons.
PAS has pledged to mobilise some 300,000 protestors this year in hopes that it will galvanise support for the opposition in the next general election, expected to be called within a year.
Perkasa, in turn, has pledged to send 20 buses from each of the 10 peninsular Malaysian states, in addition to supporters from 164 other non-governmental organisations. Umno Youth has also said it will march on July 9 to counter the Bersih rally.
PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar agreed with his party colleague but added that Ibrahim’s statement would likely inspire the Chinese community to come out in droves on July 9.
“They (the Chinese) will be angry and they will come out and give their support to Bersih,” he said.
The Pokok Sena MP also urged the police not to disrupt the protest next month, saying instead that they should offer their help to ensure it is carried out smoothly.
He suggested that the police organise the protest like how they handle large groups of supporters during by-elections and the general election.
“Use their experience from past elections to handle this protest. During elections, they always separate the supporters — one for the opposition, one for Barisan Nasional and one for the independent ... they could do the same here,” he said.
But, added Mahfuz, if Perkasa’s protest turns violent, the group’s protestors should be detained.
Tumpat MP Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar also said that the Bersih rally was not considered “un-Islamic” as it was within Islamic law to hold such peaceful gatherings.
Election watchdog Bersih, a coalition of civil society groups, is organising its second rally to push for free and fair elections this July 9.
