KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) — The street protest organised by the Coalition for Clean and fair Elections (Bersih) on Saturday is a political gimmick by opposition parties to discredit the ruling party in the bulld-up to the general election, MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said today.

He said the Opposition wanted to create an impression that “if there is something wrong with the electorate roll, then there is also something wrong with the government”.
“By holding street demonstrations, they will try to make the people worry and create unnecessary tension for their advantage,” he told reporters after chairing the weekly MCA Presidential Council meeting.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said MCA, being a component of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, would not support street demonstrations as it was against the law.
“The parties involved should use the right channel to forward their views and not hold street protests,” he added.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of people who tried to march from Jalan Tun Perak to Dataran Merdeka for an illegal assembly organised by The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), a group of 60 non-governmental organisations supported by five opposition parties.
Two hundred and forty-five people were detained for questioning but were released after their statements were recorded.