Ban Bersih, Red Shirts demo to prevent bloodshed, says Ikatan

Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) urged the police to take stern and immediate action to ban both Bersih 5 and the Red Shirts rallies this Saturday to prevent possible violence.

Its president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said there are concerns of bloodshed and riot from the demonstrations.

"I had taken part in two Bersih rallies in the past and in every demonstration, there are proper planning by internal groups to provoke the police and other parties to create riot by burning cars, buildings and so forth.

"The objective is to garner international attention and publicity," he said in a statement today.

The former minister also voiced concerns on the rallies taking place, given the recent scuffle involving Red Shirts leader Datuk Jamal Md Yunos over the weekend which left him with a bloody nose.

Abdul Kadir said, the incident would likely have angered the Red Shirts supporters who would do whatever necessary to stop the Bersih 5 rally.

"The police can take stern, brave and immediate action to prevent a bad incident from happening.

"We plead that both rallies be banned immediately. Let's not regret this later," he said.

Abdul Kadir also suggested for Bersih and the Red Shirts to put in a fresh application to hold their demonstrations in a more controlled environment - such as in Padang Merbok or other similar areas that would not put anyone or anything in danger.