Follow the law before asking for protection: IGP tells Bersih 5 organisers

(The Sun Daily) – Inspector-General of Police Tan Seri Khalid Abu Bakar told the Bersih 5 organisers to follow the law first before asking them for protection at their rally organised for this Saturday.

“People want to ask for protection need to first abide by the law. If they don’t obey the law, how do we protect them? he said.

This comes after Bersih 5 organisers had asked the police to step in on Saturday and cull the red shirts movement as they had threatened to wreak havoc at the Bersih rally.

“Both the sides are not abiding by the law … If you are brave enough to do it you should accept the consequences that come along with it,” he said today.

He questioned the motive of the rally and reiterated that the police will take whatever measures necessary in accordance with the law to ensure peace.

“Why must they create trouble? Why are they so stubborn? If the place has not been given to you to hold the rally, hold it somewhere else,” he said.

He also cautioned that the patience of the police force is running thin.

“They’ve had Bersih 1, 2, 3, 4 and now 5, how long can the police be asked to be patient? He said at the launch of the Palestine will not be forgotten campaign jointly organised by the Royal Malaysian Police force (PDRM) and the Aman Palestine NGO.

He added that both the movements should also think of the rights of other people that the rallies will affect.

“What about the rights of the traders who will be losing business? What about those who want to come to the city centre to visit? They will not be able to do so,” said Khalid.

When asked about whether any action is going to be taken on Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos for his hardline approach against the Bersih movement, Khalid replied: “Action will be taken, don’t you worry about that.”