Bersih vs Himpun - Najib, there's a world of difference...

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has praised the organisers of yesterday's anti-apostasy Himpun rally for its orderly conduct. He said it was in stark comparison to the protests that occurred on July 9 by the Bersih 2.0 coalition for clean and fair elections that saw more than 1,600 arrested and a slew of prosecution charges.

"That is what I meant when I offered a stadium to Bersih 2.0 to have their gathering," he told a press conference after attending a police veterans' appreciation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

"Compared to the chaos that happened when Bersih 2.0 was held and yesterday's gathering, there was a great difference. No one was disturbed, pressed or felt unsafe as a result of the rally."

Najib added that the rally was a reflection of his reform efforts to amend section 27 of the Police Act to allow more space for peaceful demonstrations. The Himpun rally yesterday drew some 5,000 people at the Shah Alam Stadium in a move to "unite Muslims and defend their faith".

source:malaysiakini

Comments by...

By Election Fan - Mr. PM, If it is not due to your flip flop promise and the police attacking us in Bersih 2.0, we were not only more peaceful than Himpun. Due the police attack, we saw the truly One Malaysia spirit. We help each other irregardless of races in the storm of tear gas and police brutality. In Himpun, we saw only racist group of self deceiving UMNO supporters. This is the madness of attempts of diverting a small issues created by JAIS into a racial tense. Or course UMNO goons like you would wish the Himpun will be attended by a million people, I supposed most Malaysians especially Malays are peace loving people that had see through you true colour. The real trouble makers and hindrance to a truly united nation are you guys from the racist UMNO.

Kit P - Yes, Najib, the stark difference between Himpun and Bersih 2.0 is the way the Police Permit for Himpun was approved at lightning speed, while Bersih's application was refused outright. The way UMNO leaders openly approved of Himpun, while Bersih was subjected to all manner of threats, arrests, roadblocks long before the rally started. The way all government departments and agencies had been instructed to block the progress of Bersih, including the Merdeka Stadium corporation, SPAD etc. etc. Yes, Najib, you are a hypocrite.

wira - Dear Najib, it is very clear that anyone who serves your purpose is good and law abiding and those who oppose you are deemed illegal or are persecuted and harassed. You are arguing like ex-dictator Ghadafi.

K W Mark - A single race provocation Himpun to compares multi-racial Bersih? Shame to have such PM. Please issue a permit for a national level Bersih 3.0 and we shall compare again,Mr 1Malaysia! Issue one to Himpun as well just to be fair..

passerby - Najib u r a liar. You have never offered any stadium to Bersih 2.0 because you need dirty election to stay in power and Himpun Rally is different because this was organised by umno. Come ge13 you know what you get because 80% malay votes will go to PR and Bersih 3.0 will come if the 8 demands are not met. Hidup Bersih

Phra Ong Chao - So it matters not that Himpun was demonising another religious group while Bersih was calling for free and fair elections?

Malaysian Bersih: - PM, first of all, the police refused to give Bersih a permit. Secondly, police opened fire with water cannon and tear gas at the rakyat first before all hell broke loose. Who was at fault? Do give a permit to Bersih 3.0 and with the police not clamping down on the protestors, then we can compare the two events. Dare to try?

Pakman - Najib cuba menyelewengkan fakta dan kebenaran dari rakyat jelata . Perhimpun Bersih 2.0 mendapat perkenan dari Agong dan Najib cuba mensebotage dengan mengharamkan Perhimpunan Bersih dan menguna PDRM untuk menggagalkan. Putar belit kenyataan Najib tidak bolih diterima dan sungguh malang bagi Malaysia mempunyai PM yang tak ikhlas dan jujur dan menyatakan kebenaran.

cheers.