Asri tells Bersih to accept stadium offer

(The Malaysian Insider) – Influential Muslim cleric Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (picture) called today for Bersih to accept Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s offer to hold its July 9 rally in a stadium.

The former Perlis mufti painted a win-win situation, where peace would not be disturbed and Bersih supporters would not be stopped by police, allowing it to gather a larger crowd in support of electoral reforms.

“Accept the prime minister’s offer to hold it in a stadium with a representative of the Agong present to receive your protest letter and you can even hold ceramahs after that,” he said.

The maverick scholar added that if the demonstration became too large for the stadium’s capacity, the overflow should be allowed to gather around the stadium without any disturbance.

PM Najib had made the offer after Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin intervened yesterday and asked the government and Bersih to negotiate their differences.

The constitutional monarch rarely issues edicts or statements but the heightened atmosphere over the past week has prompted Istana Negara’s intervention.

Bersih chief Datuk Amibga Sreenevasan said today that the coalition of 62 NGOs would seek an audience with the King before making any further decision on the July 9 march.

Mohd Asri also recommended that Bersih held a “Bersih week” instead and ask the public to wave the Malaysian flag or wear yellow to show their support for the movement.

“In this way, more people can show their support for free and fair elections. Even those who are against wastage and price increases can join in.

“They can express their dissatisfaction in a safe way at home, in their cars and with their clothes. If they hold a gathering and the police obstruct them, then they will not amass the numbers they wanted and it would defeat the purpose,” he said.