The government is going all out in its campaign to thwart Saturday’s rallies, with its long tentacles stretching to mosques, campuses, varsities, and now even highways.

The warnings against participating in the Bersih rally scheduled for Saturday come as the days draw closer for the event, with Perkasa also vowing to hold a counter-rally.

A check by Malaysiakini this morning found such warnings displayed on electronic boards along the DUKE highway.

Klik4Malaysia also reported that the message had been spotted near Kelana Jaya along the LDP highway beginning from Tuesday.

The message reads: “ Tindakan tegas akan diambil terhadap individu atau mana-mana pihak yang menghasut atau/dan menyertai perhimpunan haram ” (Stern action will be taken against individuals or any parties that incite and/or participate in illegal assemblies).

The full message can also be found on the Marine Police Force Facebook page.

NONE Similar notices were also seen two days ago along the Sprint Highway near Mont Kiara in the evening.

However, another check during the afternoon found the warnings absent from the boards.

A blue and white banner reading: “Sayangilah Negara kita, marilah sama-sama kita tolak Bersih 2.0!!” was also spotted on a pedestrian bridge beside Abdullah Hukum LRT station, with the words “Tolak Bersih 2.0" emblazoned in red.

There was nothing else on the banner that would indicate its origin.

Furthermore, it is learnt that the Education Ministry has issued a warning to teaching staff and students from taking part in Saturday's rally.

               

Places of worship too, were not spared , as congregations during Friday prayers last week were warned to stay away as Bersih 2.0 rally is allegedly haram.

Crackdown continues despite compromise

Bersih 2.0, a coalition of over 60 NGOs, is planning to march in the heart of Kuala Lumpur come Saturday to press for clean and fair elections.

duke expressway highway close barrier access road kampung puah 140109 03 In response, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has outlawed the movement, accusing it of attempting to topple the federal government.

Sensing the high temperature, the country's monarch moved to diffuse the tension, urging all sides to adopt a conciliatory tone.

Bersih 2.0 has since consented to hold their rally at Stadium Merdeka. However, the venue has been shot down by the cabinet.

The government's response to Bersih 2.0's compromise has been less than reciprocatory.

Yesterday, Home Ministry Hishammudin Hussein stressed that the coalition is still an illegal organisation , while road blocks were also enforced during morning rush hour.

Roadblocks to check for weapons? My foot!