‘Ambiga should be arrested, not granted royal audience’
Perkasa will also submit a letter seeking an audience with the King before July 9
(Free Malaysia Today) – Bersih chairman S Ambiga should be arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) instead of being invited to the palace, Perkasa said today.
“We were shocked that Ambiga was granted an audience,” Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali told a press conference here. “His Majesty should not be receiving people like that. We know Ambiga represents an illegal organisation.”
“She should be arrested under the ISA or the Emergency Ordinance (EO) and not being invited to the palace,” he said.
Nevertheless, Ibrahim said Perkasa respected the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin to grant Ambiga a royal audience.
He added that the move reflected a benevolent King who cared for his country and people.
“The King’s willingness shows his concern for the safety of his people.”
Perkasa will also submit a letter requesting an audience with the King before this Saturday to voice its intentions for holding its own rally to counter the Bersih gathering.
The Malay right-wing group was reported to have been turned away by the palace when it attempted to submit the letter this morning. Ibrahim, however, denied this allegation.
“We hope that we will also be received in the same manner that the King received the organiser of an illegal rally,” he said. “If the people can extend favourable treatment to an illegal organisation that is already causing chaos in the country, then they should also extend the same treatment to us.”
A disgruntled Ibrahim then took potshots at Ambiga, beginning with her demand for the immediate release of the six Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) members detained under the EO.
“Who does she think she is?” he asked. “Ambiga is behaving like she is the police chief. Like this is her father’s country. She’s not even running in the next general election so why is she poking her nose into the electoral system with all these demands?”
