YOURSAY 'It is not up to you to give permission. We don't need your go-ahead. Who are you to dictate what the rakyat can and cannot do?'

Home minister gives nod to Bersih 3.0 but...

your say Quigonbond: The bottom line - they won't allow Bersih 3.0 at Dataran Merdeka. If Malaysians defy it, it'll be another showdown.

I wonder if Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein will ever learn. The point is, even before the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA), we needed permit from the police under the Police Act to gather.

The police were adamant not to approve any permit, hence the civil disobedience that ensued. Why should it be different this time?

The PAA is unconstitutional where it outlaws processions, and legitimate locations from being used for gathering, just because it is symbolically detrimental to the BN.

Malaysians will not be cowed by unconstitutional legislation, not especially on a topic of such importance which is free and fair elections.

We don't necessarily want the BN to fall, we just want to make sure that BN is voted back to power on a level-playing field. Otherwise BN has zero legitimacy to lead.

That cannot be too much to ask, can it?

3rdForce: Bersih 3.0 puts the ruling government in a very tight spot. Rest assured, they won't let it go easy, not after campaigning for the last three years and spending zillions.

Mat Malaysia: Hisham still doesn't get it. It is not up to you to give permission. We don't need your go-ahead. Who are you to dictate what the rakyat can and cannot do?

You are an employee of the rakyat. Dataran Merdeka is a public place, not Umno's backyard. It belongs to the rakyat, not you. So just keep your silly comments to yourself.

Kairos: The government blew it big time with Bersih 2.0. They better not do that again this time with their high-handed tactics.

The timing of Bersih 3.0 is perfect because it is election time. Malaysians of all races and religion must come out in full force to support the April 28 rally. The whole world is watching how the government responds.

If they make a mess of it again, I won't be surprised if the Queen of England wears green this time.

Appum: Hishammuddin should show his sincerity by not putting obstacles to Bersih 3.0 and denying the protesters the use of Dataran Merdeka.

This rally is for electoral reforms, the most important being the cleaning up of the electoral roll.

This rally is just a means not an end to itself, so we are still waiting for more positive steps by the government to resolve the outstanding electoral issues.

Ferdtan: Beware, Hishammuddin takes a step back by giving permission to have Bersih 3.0 assembly as there is nothing they can do about it without hurting their reputation again due to their bad handling in the previous Bersih rally.

The police would then insist that it should be in an enclosed stadium instead of Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.

By rejecting their offer of a different premise, they hope Bersih would be demeaned by their perceived 'intransigence', thus they win the debate in the midst of publicity given by the mainstream media.

Dataran Merdeka, it is. No compromise whatsoever. If the police have no such tricks up their sleeve, then thanks in advance for their agreement. We wait with bated breath to see how it turns out.

Wira: Bersih 3.0 may well have a bigger attendance than the Merdeka celebrations at the same venue.

There is no reason - if the police can control the crowd during Merdeka celebrations - that they should face any problem with security in Dataran Merdeka for a Bersih sit-down protest.

Don't frustrate the will of tens of thousands of Malaysians who want to see clean elections in this country.

Dood: The last time "approval" was given for Bersih 2.0, the powers-that-be made a flip-flop at the eleventh hour over the use of a stadium, leading the rally to be deemed illegal and ready for the police to disperse. Remember that?

Not Confused: Hishammuddin, you know well, as we all do, that the rally itself will not cause disruption to the public or bring any disorder - this will be the job of the police.

They will as usual block off major roads well ahead of the rally, causing massive traffic jams, all of which is totally unnecessary, but just a pathetic and childish show of force.

This actions will then ,of course, have a disruptive effect on local businesses, although judging by the last rally, many local vendors made a fortune selling food and goodies to the rally participants.

Anonymous #58458950: On April 28, Malaysians don't need any venue. All who are in favour of a clean and fair election must wear green or yellow on that day and go about your daily routine, whether to the supermarket, wet market or malls.

Then they should sit in the parks, be it Lake Gardens, Titiwangsa or Dataran Merdeka, and enjoy the scenery and fresh air.

We need to get out of our offices and homes on that day. There is no need for demonstrations or walks anywhere. A peaceful protest will speak volumes.

Anonyxyz: Mark my words - PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police) will approve a charity event by Perkasa to be held at Dataran Merdeka on April 28.

 

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