'BERSIH 4.0 should be held at a more suitable location' - IGP

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has called on organisers of BERSIH 4.0 to hold the rally at the National Stadium.

Khalid said, the stadium in Bukit Jalil was more suitable for the gathering which is expected to see an attendance of some 100,000 people.

He said, Dataran Merdeka and Padang Merbok were not suitable locations as the venues were being prepared for the Merdeka Day celebrations.

“Every year we celebrate Merdeka there. Why are they insistent on doing it there on Aug 29 and 30? It is as though there are no other venues in Malaysia.

“The stadium at Bukit Jalil is big, rumour has it some 100,000 people will attend the rally. In view of this, the Bukit Jalil Stadium is the best location to fit 100,000 people.

“Surely they are not going to fit 100,000 people at Dataran Merdeka,” Khalid told reporters during a press conference held at Bukit Aman.

In response to Khalid’s call, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) in a statement today brushed off claims that it was selfish in wanting to hold the rally in the city centre as opposed to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalili.

Citing the KL City GP which was held on Aug 7 to 9 as an example, it said, the coalition did not hear any protest from any party during the event which saw the closure of several main roads in Kuala Lumpur including Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang and Jalan P Ramlee.

“BERSIH 2.0 did not hear any protest from the Inspector-General of Police, KL City Hall, trader associations or even those living in the vicinity of the area on the road closures.

“Is corporate interest far more important than the interest of the people and country,” it said.

BERSIH 2.0 added that the BERSIH rally had been carried out three times before this and it had benefited greatly to hotels, small traders, restaurants and also public transport.