Flash mob planned leading to June 22 rally
Badrul Hisham (left) and activist Hishamuddin Rais at the press conference.
Pathma Subramaniam, fz.com
The coalition behind the Black 505 rallies is kicking off the countdown to the June 22 polls reform gathering with flash mob tomorrow.
Badrul Hisham Shaharin, chairman of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), which is one of the 50 non-governmental organisations in the People’s Voice 505 coalition, said they will proceed with their plans although City Hall has so far refused the use of Padang Merbok.
“We have the right to assemble peacefully especially to voice our grievances about what’s happening in this country,” he stressed.
The coalition said the countdown will be initiated by student groups with a flash mob at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman near the Sogo Departmental Store at 2pm.
“The final countdown will take place the night before June 22 at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). Participants will be given guidance prior to attending the big day on June 22,” said Badrul Hisham, who is better known as Chegubard.
“We are also expanding our volunteer base to mobilise them during the rally,” he said at a press conference at the KLSCAH. Also present was activist Hishamuddin Rais and SAMM propaganda director Edy Noor Reduan.
Badrul Hisham together with PKR strategist Rafizi Ramli and several other parliamentarians had met with the capital city’s mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib earlier today over the rally venue.
Rafizi told reporters after the meeting that Pakatan Rakyat, which is supportive of the rally, would be setting a bad precedent if it were to concur to the mayor’s suggestions of opting for a stadium instead of Padang Merbok.
“If we were to accept the argument and also the precedent, it means there will be not be any other gatherings in open, public spaces after this. It sets a very bad precedent,” he said.
Badrul Hisham said that the talks ended up in a deadlock with Ahmad Phesal reiterating “lame excuses” that the field is only used for “light sporting activities”.
“First the City Hall said the field has been booked for an official event but once that was proven to be wrong they are giving multiple lame excuses,” he said.
“We are determined to gather at Padang Merbok even though it is blocked by the City Hall,” he added.
“Taking to the streets is not our choice but the situation in this country is such that we are pushed to wall and have no choice but to do it this way,” said Badrul Hisham.
