PUTRAJAYA, July 7 — Tan Sri
The deputy prime minister told a press conference here that the stadium should only be appropriately used for official functions instead of rallies organised by any party.
“For one thing, this is the prerogative of the stadium owners, whether they want to allow the rally,” he said. “Next, it is also because this is the site where independence was declared . . . I do not think we would want to pollute history with such gatherings for whatever reason other than official functions.”
Muhyiddin also repeated a stern reminder to rally organisers that any application for the event using the name “Bersih 2.0” would immediately be rejected as the coalition is still considered an illegal organisation.
“So don’t be stubborn. I see the statement they made is like they want to provoke, they just keep wanting to fight, with no good intention, no tolerance, no sincerity.
“They want to provoke and incite hatred. The people are happy now that the street demonstrations have been called off so do not raise this again,” he said.
After meeting with the King on Tuesday, Bersih 2.0 decided to hold its planned Saturday rally in a stadium but its application to Stadium Merdeka was purportedly rejected.
“Among the unclear reasons provided by said officer were an “internal management sports event” and “renovations” — these despite the fact that until very recently, there were plans to hold “Konsert Raksasa 2” on July 9 at Stadium Merdeka,” Bersih said in a statement yesterday.
Despite the snub, Bersih declared that it would proceed with its plan to host the event at Stadium Merdeka, announcing last night that it “will not for one moment be swayed from our decision to gather there” to call for free and fair elections.
Muhyiddin also confirmed a Cabinet decision that the rally should not be held at any stadium in the capital city in order to prevent disruption of peace and public order.
He pointed out that the capactiy of Stadium Merdeka would not be able to fit the 300,000 protestors that Bersih 2.0 and the opposition had pledged to mobilise for the event.
“The stadium can fit about 30,000 but they said they would bring 300,000... so what is the purpose for them to insist on using the stadium?” he said.
He urged Bersih 2.0 organisers to be “reasonable” with their demands, pointing out that the government had given them sufficient leeway to carry out their plans this weekend.
“Now there are claims that they want to march from one point to another... what is so difficult about using a bus to the venue, alighting from it and then going back? We have given them plenty of leeway so they should be more reasonable,” he said.