Election reforms coalition Bersih 2.0 has urged the federal government to stop its widening crackdown against supporters, now that it has agreed to a compromise on Saturday's rally.

Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said since the movement has “taken a step back” by agreeing to the government proposal to hold the rally in a stadium instead of on the streets, the police should stand down as well.

"We will feel very shortchanged if the government goes against (its) words and it is one of the things that we will (convey) to the prime minister.

"It is not just we who are shortchanged, it is the rakyat who are completely shortchanged, Because we acted in good faith, we expect good faith."

Flanked by som NONE e 20 members of the Bersih 2.0 steering committee, Ambiga called a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall this morning.

Yesterday, the Agong granted an audience to Bersih 2.0 leaders during which the rally was discussed. Following this, Ambiga announced that the movement had agreed to move the rally to a stadium.

Welcoming the decision, Najib had said his administration was now willing to meet Bersih 2.0 to discuss details.

The coalition has written a letter to Najib and hopes to meet the premier as early as today, Ambiga revealed.

'Horrified' over crackdown

She said she is confused about the continuing crackdown against Bersih 2.0, and assumes that the police have not received the 'ceasefire order'.

azlan "We are actually rather horrified. Despite the statement that His Majesty issued, these arrests continue. We don't see how that fits in with the His Majesty’s statement. We are really very surprised.

"I don't understand... the government has said we can have rally in the stadium, (so) it doesn't make sense to me.

"On one hand the government agreed that we can proceed in the stadium, but on the other hand, these crackdowns are taking place. I don't think it makes sense to anyone."

Asked if the King had guaranteed that the government would accept Bersih’s demands, Ambiga did not provide a direct answer. She said the movement would discuss its demands with the premier.

"I think we need to deal with the government on that... that is why we want to meet with the prime minister as soon as possible,” she said.

NONE Pressed what the movement would do if the government rejected its demand to release the Bersih supporters, Ambiga said:

"We have to keep fighting that, we have to keep speaking out, we have to keep showing support to these people (the detainees). We can't stop until they are released, as simple as that."

On another question whether the compromise would set a bad precedent that such rallies should be held in a stadium, Ambiga rejected the contention.

"I don't think so. I believe this (decision to rally in a stadium) is made under special circumstances. The right to assemble is provided by the federal constitution and we have had many street rallies before.

"So it has been done. I don't think it is the end of street rallies," she said.

Although many supporters had expressed disappointment over yesterday's decision, Ambiga called on them to remain calm and to continue to support the movement.

"Take July 9 as a celebration of democracy."

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