We refer to the statement of SAC1 Datuk Zulhasnan Najib Baharuddin, the CPO of Kuala Lumpur in The Star yesterday (N16) on the People’s Gathering being organised by BERSIH, which will take place at 3 pm at Dataran Merdeka on 10 November 2007.

BERSIH is organising this public gathering for the purpose of delivering a memorandum to the Yang diPertuan Agong to seek his views and commitment to the campaign for electoral reform and free and fair elections in Malaysia. We are operating on the basis that all citizens of Malaysia enjoy the right to peaceful public assembly under the Federal Constitution.
This right has repeatedly been emphasised by SUHAKAM who has looked at the issue of right of peaceful public assembly on several occasions and conducted several public inquiries into the matter.
As responsible organisers, we had originally planned to keep the police informed of the gathering at least a week ahead and to seek a meeting to discuss the logistical arrangements so that the gathering could take place with the full cooperation of all parties.
As the CPO has already aired some of his concerns through the media, we have sent a letter to the CPO for an appointment on Thursday, 1 November 2007 at 11am, to discuss arrangements for the gathering and
address any concerns he may have.
BERSIH will also be seeking the assistance of SUHAKAM and also the Bar Council to provide advice and assistance to all the parties involved on the day of the gathering and to monitor the situation.