We refer to the statement of Datuk Zulhasnan Najib Baharuddin, the CPO
of Kuala Lumpur in The Star today (N16) con the People’s Gathering
being organised by BERSIH, which will take place at 3 pm at Dataran
Merdeka on 10 November 2007.
BERSIH is organising this public gathering for the purpose of
delivering a memorandum to the Yang di Pertuan Agong to seek his views
and commitment to the campaign for electoral reform and free and fair
elections in Malaysia. We are operating on the basis that all citizens
of Malaysia enjoy the right to peaceful public assembly under the
Federal Constitution.
This right has repeatedly been emphasised by SUHAKAM who has looked at
the issue of right of peaceful public assembly on several occasions
and conducted several public inquiries into the matter.
As responsible organisers, we had originally planned to keep the
police informed of the gathering at least a week ahead and to seek a
meeting to discuss the logistical arrangements so that the gathering
could take place with the full cooperation of all parties.
As the CPO has already aired some of his concerns through the media,
we have sent a letter to the CPO for an appointment on Thursday, 1
November 2007 at 11am, to discuss arrangements for the gathering and
address any concerns he may have.
BERSIH will also be seeking the assistance of SUHAKAM and also the Bar
Council to provide advice and assistance to all the parties involved
on the day of the gathering and to monitor the situation.
Medaline Chang
BERSIH Secretariat
4A Jalan Sepadu
Taman United
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (03) 7980 6571
Fax: (03) 7980 2697
HP: (012) 219 2010
URL: www.bersih.org