Pakatan Rakyat is ready to cooperate in holding the Bersih 2.0 rally at a stadium as suggested by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak provided that the enforcement authorities cease their clampdown on activists calling for free and fair elections.

azlan In a statement signed by PAS deputy-president Mohamad Sabu, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and DAP national organising secretary Teresa Kok, the three parties said they wished to make their stand known that they are open to Najib’s proposal as long as he respects the right of the rakyat to assembly peacefully, as guaranteed in the federal constitution.

“This openness must also be reciprocated by the authorities by stopping the hardline approach that they’ve taken up until now.

“All three parties are ready to cooperate with the police and other authorities to ensure the rally proceeds well and peacefully."

Pakatan also called for the release of all individuals detained over the Bersih 2.0 rally and for all charges against them dropped.

“Pakatan wishes to stress that the demand for reforms in the electoral  system is the aim of the rally. This reform process needs to be carried out before the 13th general election, in line with the demands of Bersih and the commitment of the prime minister.”

NONE Fittingly, Bersih 2.0 chief Ambiga Sreenavasan ( right ) said that the NGO has decided to take up the government’s stadium offer , following an audience with the Agong today.

Met outside the Istana Negara, Ambiga said the decision is a compromise given the current circumstances.

The former Bar Council president had sought an audience with Tunku Mizan Zainal Abidin after the latter issued a special statement calling for restraint on the matter.

In response to the Agong’s statement, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak offered the use of any stadium for the rally which was supposed to be a march to the royal palace.

The government had prior to that taken a no compromise stance, arresting close to 200 activists and parliamentarians in relation to the rally.

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