The High Court in Shah Alam will on Jan 7 hear the merits of Bersih’s application to set aside the Home Ministry's order to ban the words ‘ Bersih 4’ used during the August rally.

It was decided during the case management today that Justice Azimah Omar will be hearing the matter, lawyer New Sin Yew told Malaysiakini .

"The court has also asked the home minister to reply to Bersih's affidavit by Nov 23," New said.

The Home Ministry was represented by senior federal counsel Haryati Ahmad.

On Aug 27, the Home Ministry declared the word ‘Bersih 4’ as banned and that the ban has been gazetted.

As a result of the ban, those found to have printed or possessing T-shirts or placards with 'Bersih 4' on them can be arrested.

Following the ban in the run-up to the massive rally on Aug 29 and 30, police threatened to arrest anyone wearing the yellow Bersih 4 T-shirt.

On the second day of the at least 100,000-strong rally for free and fair elections, which also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, police arrested 12 people in Malacca for wearing the T-shirt.

Tomorrow, Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah is to charged with not abiding with the 10-day notice that is to be given to the authorities by organisers of gatherings in public places.