Choose a route and we will follow, Bersih tells IGP
By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Bersih has asked the police to suggest a route for its July 9 march to ensure that the rally goes off without a hitch, in what appears to be an attempt to bridge the growing divide between both parties.
Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said the election watchdog presented the suggestion to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the hopes that he would be open-minded and work with Bersih.
“We have asked them, the police, now you choose from one point in Kuala Lumpur to Taman Jaya, whatever,” she told reporters outside Bukit Aman police headquarters here after meeting with IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar.
“You choose what route, we will follow. And we will do it peacefully.”
The police were required by law to protect any party wanting to hold an assembly and could arrest those who refused to gather in peaceful fashion, she pointed out.
Ambiga revealed that Ismail did not respond to the request during the “very friendly” meeting but stressed that she remained “ever hopeful” Bersih will get a positive answer from him next week.
“This will go on with police help. That is what I’m positive about… And I’m going to remain positive because that’s best for everybody,” she said.
Ambiga declined to comment on Bersih’s next course of action if the IGP remained steadfast in his refusal to let the rally take place, saying she would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Bersih will take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on July 9 to demand free and fair elections.
