Pakatan Rakyat is backing Bersih 2.0's decision to hold its Saturday rally at Stadium Merdeka, despite the stadium management refusing the booking.

During the Pakatan leadership council meeting today, the coalition resolved that Prime Minister Najib Razak must be held to his word and Bersih 2.0 be allowed to rally at a stadium of its choice.

NONE"Now, the prime minister and the home minister are flip-flopping (berdalih) and giving all sorts of excuses to disallow it from happening in the stadium.

"I understand that Bersih 2.0 is still referring to Najib's earlier statement, so he should fulfil his promise," said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, on behalf of the council.

He said Pakatan was of the opinion that Bersih 2.0 must be allowed to hold a peaceful assembly indoors, as advised by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) agreed to move its mega rally from the streets and into a stadium after consulting the Agong at the Istana Negara yesterday.

Following this, Najib told reporters that his government was ready to meet Bersih to facilitate the stadium rally, after weeks of vehemently criticising the coalition publicly.

However, the booking officer for Stadium Merdeka has refused to entertain the group, citing an "internal management sports event" and "renovations".

Anwar also slammed Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's statement earlier today maintaining that Bersih 2.0 was an illegal organisation.

"We regret Hishammuddin's statements and his excessive behaviour, which has deviated from what was already agreed to, like he just doesn't care, calling Bersih 2.0 to still be illegal.

"It is implying that the King is negotiating with an illegal body," Anwar told reporters after the Pakatan meeting at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang also took potshots at the home minister, lamenting the disrespect shown toward the monarchy.

"It appears that the minister is above the prime minister, and even the King. It will be saddening if (Hishammuddin) does not respect the King or is acting in a disloyal fashion," said the veteran lawmaker.

Ralliers can come by land, air, water

Pakatan promised 300,000 supporters to join the rally in the iconic stadium, despite some disappointment on its part.

NONE"I know that some were disappointed because the street demonstration has been called off... but now that Bersih 2.0 has agreed to move the rally indoors, there are still some parties wanting to sabotage the understanding," Lim said.

PAS had previously promised a turnout of 100,000 members from all over the country, with half coming from Selangor.

With massive roadblocks expected all over the city, the Islamist party's deputy president Mohamad Sabu said he would work out the logistical details at a meeting with Bersih 2.0 tonight.

Mohamad kept mum when asked whether party members have already made their way to the city, refusing to confirm or deny it.

Both Anwar and Mohamad joked about how supporters would gather in the city on Saturday.

"By helicopter also can," said Anwar.

"If there is a river through it, we'll also swim," quipped Mohamad.



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