The Dewan Rakyat today rejected a motion brought to condemn the plan by election watchdog Bersih 2.0 to stage a protest on July 9 over its pursuit of so-called electoral reforms.

zahrain hashim parliament 180310 Deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar rejected the motion brought by Zahrain Hashim (Independent-Bayan Baru), saying the matter did not warrant urgency.

He said the Home Ministry, through the police, had taken the necessary precautionary measures to handle the protest and was monitoring activities which could threaten public order and national security.

Zahrain, when tabling the motion immediately after question time, asked the house to adopt a stand to strongly condemn the Bersih 2.0 move, especially in inciting the people to take to the streets like in several West Asian countries.

He also wanted the house to demand the cancellation of the Bersih 2.0 plan to stage a protest, whether in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere in the country, for the sake of the security of the people and nation.

Zahrain said the actions of Bersih 2.0 in the past had proven that the group had a narrow political agenda and intended to confuse the people for political gain.

In 2007, Bersih used the "Yellow Wave" slogan to organise an illegal rally to present a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara for the same reason.

That street demonstration undermined public order and led to traffic congestion at several locations in the city.

- Bernama

Bersih rally: Cops warn of preventive arrests

'Police won't take sides in July 9 rally'

Police ask organisers to abort Bersih gathering