'Bersih rally worse than burger, butt protests'
Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has insisted that the chaos caused by the Bersih 3.0 protest on April 28 was far worse than the ‘burger and butt’ protests outside the house of Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has insisted that the chaos caused by the Bersih 3.0 protest on April 28 was far worse than the ‘burger and butt’ protests outside the house of Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan.
"If you (make a comparison), Ambiga's gathering at Dataran Merdeka ... was worse.
"(As for the protests) at Ambiga's house, (the impact was) limited since the place occupied by the protesters is small,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
"Not to say that I agree (with what happened) but it is totally different (compared to) Ambiga's protest at Dataran. But I think it helps Ambiga. She (won’t) need to drive (out) if she wants a burger, she can just go outside her house and buy (one)."
He agreed, however, that the protests are to retaliate against Ambiga for proceeding with the Bersih 3.0 protest, despite a court order prohibiting the gathering around Dataran Merdeka.
"This is what happens when you don't respect the law. She was offered a stadium and there was a court order saying ‘don't go to Dataran Merdeka’, but she still broke the law and traders had to foot the losses.” he said.
"When somebody starts breaking the law, then other people will follow.”
On May 10, a group of traders had set up burger stalls outside Ambiga's house to highlight income foregone from lost business during the Bersih 3.0 protest.
Five days later, a group of army veterans performed ‘butt exercises’ against Ambiga for alleged role as an ‘enemy of the state’ and for having ‘smeared’ the country's name.
Asked to comment, Perkasa supreme council member Vice-Admiral (R) Mat Rabi Abu Samah (right in photo) said he personally does not see any wrong in this.
"They were doing butt exercises but they were decently dressed, they didn't expose their butts... this is very subjective but to me, there is no problem," he said.
Ibrahim declined to state his stance on the matter stating: "This has got nothing to do with Perkasa... Right or wrong is up to them (protesters) to decide."
Another group of protesters have vowed to set up a 'market' outside Ambiga’s house on Thursday and Friday.
Help for police officers
On another matter, Ibrahim said Perkasa will contact the two police officers charged for allegedly assaulting a journalist during the Bersih 3.0 protest to offer legal or financial assistance if they require it.
"Are they innocent or guilty? We leave that up to the court, but Perkasa wishes to help them because they are merely normal constables who were ordered to do their duty and we always appreciate the work of security forces," he said.
While Perkasa also sympathises with journalists who were assaulted, he said many parties have risen to their defence. They include political parties, Bar Council as well as the international media which have pointed their finger at the police.
"But the police are not getting any attention, which is why Perkasa has taken up the task of helping those who are not receiving any help," he said.
He explained that the prosecution of the officers may lower the morale of police personnel and discourage them from upholding security when facing large crowds.
The government, he said, should look into providing military and police officers a better pay scheme that should not purely be based on qualifications, as they bear heavy responsibility for the nation’s security.
Commenting on former solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden (left), who is now in Anwar Ibrahim’s defence team in relation to Bersih 3.0 charges, he said this is merely “a business decision”.
"To me, there is nothing exciting (about this). He used to serve the government and now he is retired, so as a lawyer, if anyone offers good pay, he will defend (the person).
"But Anwar is a political animal. He deliberately hired (Yusof) so he can politicise the matter by claiming that he has managed to get someone (who had previously prosecuted) him to his side... but he (Yusof) is only serving because he is paid.”
Yusof had ranked third in seniority in the Attorney-General’s Chambers - where he was the long-time head of prosecution - when he opted for retirement from Feb 1.
