This week, local BERSIH 5 committees around the country will be lodging police reports against the incendiary statements made by UMNO division leader Jamal Yunos on his Facebook page on 21 September 2016.
The statement warned of a recurrence of the May 13th race riots during the BERSIH 5 rally.
The BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee supports our local organisers in taking this action and urges the Royal Malaysian Police Force to investigate the statement, which seeks to incite violence and bloodshed.
BERSIH 2.0 remains committed to the principles of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The right to dissent is a primary call of BERSIH 5, but this right must always be exercised without violence or harassment. The threat of violence directed at a group of citizens is never protected under this right and it constitutes criminal intimidation.
BERSIH 2.0 is proud of all the BERSIH 5 Convoy participants for remaining peaceful and calm despite the provocation. They have refused to be distracted from the main purpose of the convoy to start a national conversation on the demands for institutional reforms and the impact of corruption scandals.
The support from the general public across the country has been overwhelming. We look forward to continuing our work, building awareness leading up to 19 November without the threats and intimidation by UMNO leaders.
Issued by:-
The BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee