MCA has accused Bersih of abusing the newly minted Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) in order to paint the federal government in bad light.

At a press conference today, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek said that ultimately, Bersih will accuse Putrajaya of not respecting provisions in the PAA.

“They are adamant in using Dataran Merdeka although they know it is a very historical place and it cannot be used for protest.

“They just want to project an image that BN (has committed a) flip flop. 'Oh, BN got PAA, but won’t allow us to use (Dataran Merdeka)',” he said, mockingly.

He added that Bersih can hold the rally anywhere, and should not insist on Dataran Merdeka because Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has refused them permission.

"So why must they insist on Dataran? As if (the place has) got special powers?”

He also claimed that protests are also restricted at many historical landmarks in London, England.

'BN not behind voters' spike'

Chua also brushed aside claims that BN was behind the dubious voters’ spike in recent years, saying that Pakatan has registered more voters than BN.

Citing voter registration data from the BN election office, he said BN has registered 22,6534 new voters in 2010 and 12,265 in 2012; whereas Pakatan has registered 282,000 in 2010 and 13,749 in 2012.

“In Selangor alone, BN has registered 81,000 while Pakatan has registered 100,800, there is a gap of 29,000.

“It is wrong to say the increase is due to BN,” he said.

Chua also denied that a directive has been issued to the MCA members banning them from taking part in the Bersih 3.0 rally, saying that it is the members’ “democratic right”.

Meanwhile, Chua also dismissed the notion that MCA’s election candidates list has been rejected by the prime minister.

“We have not even submitted the name list yet,” he told reporters.

He added that BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s announcement that BN component parties must submit their name lists in two weeks was not discussed beforehand.

“He did not raise it in the meeting (with BN component parties), so let him say whatever he likes,” he said.