Peaceful public assemblies should be accepted as a new norm in our democracy, former Umno supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah said today

"Accept this (peaceful rallies) as a new norm, so people shouldn't make a big fuss out of it.

"Any organisation with a clear objective wants to organise a peaceful assembly, it's their choice," he said at a roundtable discussion (photo) entitled 'Lessons From Bersih 4' in Kuala Lumpur today.

If dissent such as the Bersih 4 rally can be accepted by the people, he said, there was no need to rehash 'poorly presented arguments'.

One of the these arguments, he said, was Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's contention that street demonstrations out to topple the government were not democratic.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's argument that such rallies would disrupt businesses was another example of 'poorly presented arguments'.

Former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said that while she commended the police for their part during the Bersih 4 rally, there was still room for improvement.

"As far as the police are concerned, I would say they have come a long way and I would congratulate them [...] but they still have a long way to go," she said during the roundtable discussion.

She noted police were still responsible for the security of the people during the rally.

"The police don't feel it's their duty to look after the security when in my view, it's a joint responsibility (between the police and the rally organisers).

Dataran Merdeka paranoia

"The truth is, nobody can handle security like the police can because they have the training and the equipment and such.

"Their duty continues. Their duties are not suspended (during the rally)," she insisted.

She suggested police discuss and coordinate with the security teams of any rally organiser in the future.

However, Ambiga criticised the decision to close off Dataran Merdeka from the rally saying that it was a public space.

"There is a high sensitivity about Dataran Merdeka that has to stop. It belongs to everyone. Why is there this paranoia about letting us into Dataran Merdeka," she asked.

There are many events that are allowed to take place at Dataran Merdeka but she pointed out the historic landmark has always been off-limits to Bersih.

"I want to know why," she demanded.

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