Peaceful gatherings allowed, says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — People, including those from the opposition, are allowed to hold gatherings so long as they are peaceful and held at appropriate venues, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The prime minister said the government did not want gatherings which could lead to tensions in the country.
“We tell them if you want to gather we give you the Bukit Jalil stadium, we are even willing to give you Stadium Merdeka,” he was quoted by Bernama as saying when launching the “Promises Fulfilled” roadshow in Kuching today
He was referring to the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur today for fair and free elections.
Najib said the organisers were barred from holding the sit-down rally at Dataran Merdeka, their preferred venue, because of the square’s national significance which made it unsuitable for holding protest rallies.
According to the Bernama report, the prime minister said the opposition should not continue to tarnish the image of the country by holding street demonstrations because the country’s all this while had been due to the hard work of the people.
“We have built this country. We have made sacrifices to bring Malaysia to where it is today. We must defend the country while at the same time allow them their basic right to assemble,” he was quoted as saying.
