Now DBKL wants Ambiga to pay
In a letter of demand to the Bersih chairperson and a steering committee member, DBKL is claiming RM350,000 for the cost incurred during the April 28 rally.
(FMT) – In the latest twist to the Bersih saga, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has sent a letter of demand to the electoral watchdog’s co-chairperson S Ambiga and steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah.
The letter, inked by DBKL director-general Salleh Yusup, sought compensation amounting to RM351,203.45 with regard to the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally here, and an additional RM100 for preparing the legal notice.
If Ambiga and Maria failed to settle the stipulated amount within two weeks, Salleh said DBKL would initiate legal action against them.
Below is the breakdown of DBKL’s financial claim:
- Department of landscape and recreation suffered losses amounting to RM74,552. 50 due to damage to the landscape and trees.
- Building maintenance unit – RM19,654 for the cost involved in putting up steel barriers.
- Department of mechanical and electrical engineering – RM26,856.95 for transport and staff.
- Department of urban transport – RM5,900 for damages to signboards and barriers.
- Department of enforcement – RM224,240 which included overtime for the staff on duty, the cost of transport as well as food and drinks for them.
The letter also recounted the decision by Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail to bar Bersih from using Dataran Merdeka for its protest.
It added that the police had also advised Ambiga and Maria against holding the protest at the iconic square.
“Despite being prohibited by DBKL, the police and a court order, you [Ambiga and Maria] went ahead with the protest resulting in the situation going out of control and public property being damaged in the process.
“Due to the protest, the mayor incurred financial losses and you [Ambiga and Maria] as the organiser must be held responsible,” read the letter.
This is the second claim filed against Bersih and Ambiga. The first came from the government which sought RM122,000 for the damage to police vehicles during the rally.
