Minister Paul Low has argued against the Bersih rally, comparing it to the ‘Arab Spring’ which started in 2010 and resulted in protests, riots and civil wars in that region.

"Yes, you may be angry about corruption, but if you're calling for the dismantling of the government in power then it's a different thing," he asserted.

He pointed out that the purpose of the Bersih rally was to urge the prime minister to resign.

"It's like a mini Arab Spring [...] You can talk about corruption but you don't undermine parliamentary democracy.”

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department was responding to a question on the Bersih rally by a participant at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya today.

Low ( photo ) explained the government did indeed allow its people to enjoy the right to assemble, but the purpose of a particular assembly may be questioned.

"In the case of Malaysia, the important thing is, what's the purpose of the assembly?

"If you assemble against corruption and injustice, it shouldn't be a problem," he said, admitting that the government was initially hesitant as it was not used to such freedoms.

Police questioning those involved

Meanwhile, Low was also asked on inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's statement that those involved in the rally would be called in by the police.

"The IGP is not arresting them, he is just asking them (to come in) for questioning.

"It depends on the value system itself. If you had said something provocative then police will just say; let's see what was your intention of saying that," he said.

Low added that the country had a "strong obsession" to ensure peace and stability in the country due to its past "bad experience".

"In time to come, the government may be a bit more liberal. But at the moment it's for the authorities to ensure peace and stability," he said.

The Bersih rally, held for 34 hours during the weekend, saw tens of thousands of people gathered near the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka.

Despite threats of arrests, especially with the rally declared illegal by the authorities, the rally ended peacefully without major disturbances.

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