Holding Bersih 2.0's rally for electoral reform in a stadium would not bring about the desired effect,but only sets a dangerous precedent, said DAP chairperson Karpal Singh.

NONE He said peaceful street marches like those in Egypt, Indonesia and some parts of Middle East are more effective at getting their message across.

"Hence, I feel we should continue with the street rally. Accepting a gathering in a stadium will result in a dangerous precedent as, using the argument, future rallies will be held there," he said.

Yesterday Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan - along with its steering committee member Zaid Kamaruddin and national laureate A Samad Said - had an audience with the Agong, during which they agreed to moving the rally off the streets.

Although the coalition has pinpointed Stadium Merdeka as the venue, the management of the facility today refused to allow a booking to be made.

Call for immediate release

 Meanwhile, the Association for Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) today urged the government to stop its Bersih 2.0 crackdown and immediately release the people detained for supporting the movement.

police abuse suhakam pc 050808 simon sipaun In a statement signed by Proham chairperson Simon Sipaun ( right ) and its committee members, they stressed that the detainees were "merely exercising their fundamental rights" to freedom of expression and assembly, as provided for under the federal constitution and the UN charter of Human Rights.

"... The immediate relase of all these detainees will only be fair, reasonable and just and would send a favourable signal to all Malaysians and indeed the whole world, that Malaysia is a freedom loving country which strongly supports our fundamental freedoms...," the statement read.

Proham, which is made up of ex-Suhakam commissioners,also extended its gratitude for the Agong's "gracious intervention" and to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his offer to have the rally in a stadium.

They however also called on the government to "cease and desist" from arresting any more activists over Bersih 2.0.

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