Unfazed by threats from Umno Youth and its red-shirt supporters, Bersih has vowed to carry on with its convoy in Penang this Saturday.

This is after state Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim, in a rally involving some 2,000 motorcyclists at Gurney Drive last Saturday, warned that his group might battle Bersih supporters if police did not rein in the electoral watchdog.

Penang Bersih coordinator Toh Kin Woon (photo) said the coalition always emphasised peace and encouraged dialogues between opposing parties.

"Whoever disagrees with our demands or approach, can voice out and dialogue, even debate with us," Toh told a press conference today.

"This is the culture we want to cultivate. We must respect the people's right to dissent.

"If you think the government is doing very well, you are entitled to say so because everyone has freedom of expression. What we cannot accept is intimidation and violence," Toh added.

The Bersih torch from the Perlis and Kedah convoy will be passed on to Penang's convoy this Saturday at a location yet to be announced.

This will kick off a rally followed by weeks of activities in the state, including public talks on Bersih at Bandar Perda on Oct 10, Silver Jubilee Hall and Sungai Dewan Dua on Oct 14, and Masjid Bukit Gedung on Oct 23.

The convoy is to promote the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Arif, Parti Amanah Negara's welfare unit, said it will deploy 200 members to accompany this Saturday's gathering.

"We just want to stop any provocation, not to fight back. We hope Bersih activities do not become a battle field," said Arif secretary Mohd Faruk Abdul Rahman.

"Arif will be in charge of security for all Bersih convoy programmes in Penang, we want to avoid and make sure there won't be any provocation.

"We hope police will work with us. Previously, Bersih programmes never faced any problem or provocation.

"But if there were any incidents, we will be the fence and wall. We will try to deploy some human resources from other states if necessary.”

Aliran chairperson Francis Loh expressed hope that violent incidents, which previously happened during Bersih events, would not repeat.

"If there are any disagreement, lets discuss, issues can be debated, but not by using violence," Loh said.

"We hope that after 30 NGOs issued a statement urging Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to investigate and arrest those who created trouble, Suhakam can also voice out against violation of human rights, or send a monitor team during the convoy programme," Loh added.

The Bersih 5 rally revolves around five demands: clean elections, clean government, strengthening of the parliamentary democracy, right to dissent and empowerment of Sabah and Sarawak.