Despite objection from the police, the PKR’s women’s wing announced today that it will go ahead with its “walkathon” event this Saturday in support of the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Its deputy chief Haniza Mohamed Talha said participants would start walking at 7.30am from the Brickfields water fountain and head for Dataran Merdeka, a distance of 2.9km.

Haniza said said Wanita PKR regrets the decision by the Brickfields district police to refuse them permission to hold the walkathon, citing traffic congestions, possible provocation and offending the feelings of certain quarters if any participant was to wear a Bersih 5 T-shirt or carry banners.

“Such excuses are illogical…The walkathon over a distance of 2.9km will end in less than two hours.

“Our intention is to show support for Bersih 5 and not cause any provocation. If any party causes any provocation, the police can take action,” she said in a statement,

The Taman Medan assemblyperson also said Wanita PKR on Oct 25 submitted a notice to hold the event, as required under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

However, at a meeting at the Travers police station on Tuesday, they were informed that the Brickfields district police headquarters has decided not allow the walkathon to go on, she said.

“The police excuse that the Bersih 5 T-shirt could offend certain quarters is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

“This is a politically-motivated excuse and shows how desperate the authorities are to stop the Bersih movement,” Haniza said in condemning the alleged double-standard action by the police.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that both the electoral reform coalition Bersih and the Umno-linked red-shirts are not registered societies and therefore disallowed from holding any gatherings.