The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) chief Ambiga Sreenevasan is scheduled to meet with inspector-general of police Ismail Omar tomorrow afternoon.

               

Ambiga, who is also a former Bar Council chairperson, will lead her 13-member standing committee during the meeting.

“We will brief the IGP on what to expect at the rally,” she said.

Besides Ambiga, the other members of the committee comprise of Andrew Khoo, K Arumuam, Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard YW Yeoh, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Yeo Yang Poh, Zaid Kamaruddin, Dr Subramaniam Pillay and Arul Prakash.

It is learnt that not all Bersih committee members will be able to make it to the meeting.

Meanwhile, the country’s top cop today warned of the possibility of foreign elements being behind the three rallies organised on July 9.

Ismail, in his sternest warning to date, said the police will not allow any individuals or any parties or organisations to engage in activities which would lead to chaos and anarchy.

NONE “Based on police intelligence we have gathered, there are attempts by some parties and also foreign elements involved which may take advantage in exploiting the situation.

“Based on the provisions of the law, the police will act (firmly) against those who organise the illegal rallies."

Quizzed on the foreign elements could have influenced political parties, the IGP did not want to disclose much, saying he could not risk divulging details of its intelligence reports.

In the past few days, there have been many allegations made mainly on the Bersih organisers, with fellow participants Parti Sosialis Malaysia being accused of allegedly bidding to revive Communist elements, while some alleged Bersih is backed by Christians.

He said the three rallies - by Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa - are scheduled on July 9, resulting in a possible disruption to the peace and tranquility of society.

When the question was posed that the people are merely exercising their democratic rights to hold the rally, Ismail said: "Look at what has happened. What are the people's feelings? What has happened is that it had created anger.

“All this has shown that peace could be affected. What should I do? I have to act swiftly and this will be the way we will take action."

Ismail warned the people not to go against the law as they will face the consequences.

“There have arrests already. Just wait ( tunggu sajalah lagi ).”

He said since June 26, 101 people have been arrested and 45 are being detained or remanded nationwide.

Ismail also revealed that 1,830 police reports had been lodged nationwide against the rallies.

Based on intelligence reports, Ismail said that if the rally is held, it could result in tension, chaos, destruction of property and loss of life.

‘Shirts, shoes, cars and buses could be seized’

When questioned whether those wearing Bersih T-shirts would face action, Ismail said anything which could be seditious or has elements of threats would face the repercussions.

“Not only shirts, shoes, cars and buses - if they ask the people to gather, we will use whatever the provisions of the law provide, be it the Police Act, Penal Code, and Societies Act.”

He reiterated that public order is within the realm of the police to react and we have to do whatever we need to ensure national security.

“Police will not allow any form of rally which if it is allowed would result in hundreds of thousands to flood Kuala Lumpur and this may result in fights and destruction of property.

“As the agency in charge of the security of the country, and as the IGP we will use whatever powers that are allocated to ensure security is safeguarded. We need to ensure peace and would not allow anyone to exploit the peaceful situation that we have today,” he said.

Quizzed on Utusan Malaysia which quoted Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM) Omardin Mauju as saying the silat exponents will be the third line of defence after the police and military to ensure security and would go to “war” if Bersih proceeded with the illegal rally, Ismail said he monitors all words uttered and action.

“Let me warn that I am watching all of that. I want to warn, watch your words as if they could erupt into fights and public disorder and would result in losses to the country, we will take action,” he said.

Had met some of the organisers

Ismail said he had also called the organisers of the event and some had met him while some have not.

“I have reminded them not to put the interests of the country behind them, to remember the harmony the country has built and that a big majority is against the rally. We advise them not to take actions which would disrupt public order ... that is why I want to meet them to tell them not to violate the law as no one is above the law,” he warned.

“There are some who have come to meet me, while others have not. I will deal with them politely. But I have to also warn them that the police would not hesitate to use force,” he said, adding he does not want to reveal who have already meet him or who had not.

Ismail reminded that he would act according to the police motto of "tegas (stern), adil (just) and berhemah (polite)".

“There have already been arrests. If someone dares to violate the law, we will take action based on the provisions, facts and the law.

He also revealed that the two foreigners detained are still being investigated, and upon completion of the probe the police will deport them home.

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