Not right to hold rally so close to Merdeka Day, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday made an 11th-hour bid to discourage Malaysians from participating in today’s mass anti-government rally, urging them to reconsider if the rally’s venue and timing are appropriate given that it will clash with the Merdeka Day preparations.

Although he did not mention Bersih specifically, he said on his blog yesterday that a rally has been planned for this weekend, the same time and place preparations are being made for Merdeka Day.

“Is it right for the rally to go on at a time and place so close to our Merdeka Day? Think about it,” Mr Najib said in an audio recording uploaded on his blog. He said many had worked hard for this year’s celebrations, from the national heroes that had fought for the country’s independence to the schools participating in the parades.

He added that Merdeka Day was a time for Malaysians to set aside their differences and celebrate the country’s independence with love and patriotism. “Even if you want to rally, choose a time and location that is not provocative. No matter our differences in opinion or understanding, Merdeka Day should not be a platform for political clashes.”

The Bersih 4 rally, which has been declared illegal by the police, is taking place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu as well as major cities around the world. The rally, organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, is pressing for institutional reforms, the freedom to protest, measures to save the economy and a clean government and political system.

Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said the rally would be akin to a vote of no-confidence against Mr Najib, who is under pressure to account for scandals involving troubled 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and RM2.6 billion (S$875 million) deposited into his personal accounts.

The rally will begin this afternoon and continue until midnight tomorrow.

Some have been warning that agent provocateurs would be out to sabotage the event.

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar cautioned that the rally will be disrupted with the action of just one “stupid fellow”. “Anything can happen. One stupid fellow may cause (all the) chaos,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Online.

When asked if the police were worried about public safety, Mr Khalid responded that was why the police wanted Bersih 2.0 to change their venue. The rally is scheduled to take place near Merdeka Square, where preparations for the annual Merdeka Day celebrations are ongoing.

“Of course. That is why in the beginning we negotiated with them to change the place,” Mr Khalid said. “But they still insisted on doing it there, knowing all the issues and problems that will be faced by them and us.”

He added that based on past Bersih events, traders in the area had to close shop to make way for the rally as they could not conduct their businesses in peace. “Now they have to be closed for three days (including National Day on Monday), and they are forced to face losses.” AGENCIES