Bersih 2.0 rally in stadium after audience with the King...

Following a meeting with the Agong this afternoon, Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said the NGO coalition has agreed to hold its rally in a stadium.Met outside the national palace after an audience with Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara, Ambiga said the coalition "will cooperate with the government and accept their offer to have the event in a stadium".

"Therefore, the rally on the street will not take place." The movement does not yet know which stadium will be used. This will be announced at a later date.

"We are very grateful for the (audience with the Agong) and will accept the government offer," Ambiga added.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had earlier proposed that Bersih holds its demonstration in a stadium rather than on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Asked whether the decision reflects a compromise on the part of Bersih, Ambiga said it was, given the circumstances.

Ambiga, Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Zaid Kamaruddin and national laurate A Samad Said had arrived at the Istana Negara gates about 1.55pm.

The trio had earlier refused comment when approached.

Yesterday, Bersih 2.0 submitted a formal request for an audience during which they intend to explain the movement's position and seek the Agong's advice on the rally. Bersih 2.0 had requested for the audience because the Agong had issued a special statement on Sunday night.

The Agong had said that, while it is incumbent on the government to fulfill its responsibilities in a "just and wise manner", street demonstrations would bring more harm than good, even if the original intention is good.

Setelah mengadap Seri Paduka Yang di-Pertuan Agong hari ini, BERSIH 2.0 bersedia mengadakan perhimpunan menuntut pilihan raya bersih dan adil di dalam stadium.

Bagaimanapun setakat ini belum ditentukan stadium mana yang akan digunakan tetapi tarikh pada 9 Julai ini tidak berubah.

Jawatankuasa itu yang terdiri daripada pengerusi BERSIH Datuk S Ambiga, Sasterawan Negara Datuk A Samad Said dan presiden Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Zaid Kamaruddin mengadap Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin di Istana Negara, petang tadi.

Menurut Ambiga, pada sidang media selepas pertemuan itu, pihak jawatankuasa BERSIH 2.0 berjanji memberikan kerjasama kepada pihak berkuasa. Ditanya wartawan sama ada tindakan itu satu bentuk tolak ansur, Ambiga menjawap 'Ya".

Sebelum ini, sumber yang rapat dengan pihak penganjur, memberitahu Malaysiakini tidak ada ahli politik yang menyertai pertemuan berkenaan. Sejak jam 1.30 petang, ketiga-tiga pemimpin itu menunggu di pondok pengawal menanti untuk masuk sebelum dibenarkan berbuat demikian pada jam 1.55 petang tadi. Kira-kira 15 anggota polis bertugas mengawal keselamatan di pintu masuk Istana negara.

Ahad lalu, Seri Paduka bertitah dalam keghairahan sebahagian rakyat berpolitik bagi menyuburkan demokrasi dalam negara, mereka diminta supaya tidak menjadikan tuntutan demokrasi itu membawa kemusnahan kepada negara.

Tuanku Mizan juga menyeru pihak kerajaan agar melaksanakan segala amanah yang diberikan kepada rakyat secara adil dan bijaksana. Titah Seri Paduka, baginda selaku Yang di-Pertuan Agong tidak mahu melihat negara bermasyarakat majmuk ini berada di dalam keadaan bermusuhan sesama sendiri ataupun sebahagian rakyatnya bermusuh dengan kerajaan atas apa jua alasan pun.

Sehubungan dengan titah itu, Ambiga berkata gabungan BERSIH 2.0 yang terdiri daripada lebih 60 NGO, akan menghantar permohonan untuk mengadap Seri Paduka.

source:malaysiakini

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