Our rallies not a ‘black mark’ on nation’s history, says Bersih

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PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has denied claims that its rallies in the past caused “chaos and destruction” and were a “black mark” in the nation’s history.

It said that having a peaceful assembly is a fundamental right of all citizens guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, along with the right to freedom of speech, expression and to form associations.

“This freedom to protest without violence is enshrined in our supreme law because protests have played an integral part in our nation’s history to shape our destiny and bring pressure to bear on unjust laws and corrupt authorities,” Bersih said in a statement.

The electoral watchdog was responding to Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who yesterday voiced his displeasure at a suggestion for the people to organise street protests to pressure the government over the rising cost of living.

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YOURSAY | Tuanku, not all public protests can be equated with riot

Gerard Lourdesamy: Not all public protests can be equated with riots. If that were the case, the famous Salt March by Mahatma Gandhi could also be regarded as a riot that would cause chaos and destruction, albeit, to the British colonial masters!

Freedom of peaceful assembly is enshrined in Part II of the Federal Constitution and facilitated by the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. It is a fundamental freedom.

Not all issues of public concern and controversy can be resolved by recourse to "constructive" engagement and "appropriate" channels when the political establishment only believes in engaging with voters once every five years.

I have always believed that the "back channel" approach to problem-solving invariably leads to corruption and abuse of power. Something that only benefits the elites and their propensity for greed and avarice.

The May 13, 1969, communal riots cannot be attributed to the DAP when the role of Umno has not been properly studied and evaluated. The Bersih rallies by far and large were peaceful, except for a few fringe elements and saboteurs.

It is not the place for an unelected institution to attempt to truncate the fundamental freedoms and rights of the people. As famous British constitutionalists and historians have said, "Monarchy only exists by the consent of the people."

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