We, the undersigned organisations, condemn the red shirts’ violent attack of Bersih’s convoy team in Perak on Oct 1, 2016. We urge the inspector-general of police (IGP) to investigate immediately the incident and arrest the perpetrators. The IGP must protect the rights of civil society organisations to assemble peacefully, meanwhile ensuring the safety of the following Bersih convoys and participants.

“We respect the red- shirts’ right to hold a counter-assembly against Bersih, however the police should have taken action against red shirts’ violent attack and stopped the harassment. It is utmost wrong to let Jamal Yusof, the red shirt leader and Sungai Besar Umno chief, to violently disrupt Bersih’s peaceful activities.” The joint statement spokesperson A Samad Said (Pak Samad) said that.

We should never be intimidated by violent groups. Every Malaysians should come forward and support the upcoming Bersih convoys, an effort to defend democratic rights. The 1MDB scandal and the exercise of re-delineation of electoral constituencies have severely weaken our democratic institutions and violated the principle of ‘one person, one vote’. Malaysians must take responsibility to rectify these wrongs.

Therefore, we urge people to take part in the Bersih 5 rally on Nov 19 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and institutional reform with the fulfillment of five Bersih 5’s demands - clean election, clean government, strengthen parliamentary democracy, right to dissent and empowering Sabah and Sarawak.

Endorsed by:

1. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
2. Civil Rights Committee of KLSCAH
3. Sunflower Electoral Education
4. Baramkini
5. Malaysia Youth & Student Democratic Movement (Dema)
6. Johor Yellow Flame
7. Jawatankuasa Bertindak Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Insinerator
8. Raub Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining Action Committee (BCAC)
9. Youth section of Malacca Chinese Assembly Hall
10. Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence