Ambiga unfazed by Perkasa belligerence
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan is unfazed over the possibility of a head-on collisionwith a counter-protest led by Perkasa on July 9.
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan is unfazed over the possibility of a head-on collision with a counter-protest led by Perkasa on July 9.
Contacted this afternoon, she reiterated that the Bersih rally for free and fair elections will go on.
Am
biga said she respects the rights of Perkasa head Ibrahim Ali to air his views.
Ibrahim declared today that the NGO is ready to " fight to the end " to stop the rally if the organisers insist on taking to the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Ambiga said the Bersih rally would be a responsible, peaceful rally fighting for noble ideals of seeking a free and fair elections.
"Many people share this feeling. They have strongly voiced the need for this and are supporting us. I have no quarrel with those opposing the rally as it is in line with democratic process of freedom of association," she said.
"The Bersih rally will go on despite whatever people want to say or the police reports lodged. We will not be intimidated."
What is important is that Bersih 2.0 wants a peaceful assembly, while it hopes that the views of the authorities (police) about peaceful assemblies will change as well.
Ambiga said she respects the people's right to their own opinions, whether they are opposed to the rally or support it, as this is a democratic country.
Asked to estimate as to how many would turn up, she said it is difficult to do so.
"There has been a lot of support, as you can see. Even Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is prepared to join in ," she said.
Ambiga has invited BN members to participate as well.
Penang Gerakan human rights and legal bureau chief Baljit Singh said last week that about 10 lawyers from the state will join the Bar Council in monitoring the event.
June 19 to air grouses
Police reports have piled up nationwide against the rally.
Referring to these, Ambiga said individuals have the right to make police reports against Bersih 2.0 or any other organisation.
"As I have stressed, people have their own opinions and we respect them. At the same time, there are many who have come up to support us and are willing to join the rally," she said.
Ambiga, who was in 2009 was bestowed the International Women of Courage award, said Bersih 2.0 would hold a gathering at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Sunday, where the rally would be discussed and all political parties were invited to attend.
Those who turn up will be allowed to speak freely, whether in support of or against the rally, and Bersih 2.0 will respect whatever views they hold.
A
sked about Kulim Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin's claim that the Bar Council that she once led is anti-Islamic, Ambiga again reiterated this is a democratic opinion.
Her view is that everybody is entitled to his or her own religion as protected by the federal constitution.
"I have never gone against any religion but (I and the Bar Council) have advocated freedom of religion," she said.
The first Bersih rally on Nov 10, 2007, saw some 40,000 people on the streets, clad in yellow T-shirts.
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