PETALING JAYA: The spate of arrests and intimidation of Bersih 2.0 supporters over the past week has left the coalition’s chairperson, S Ambiga, appalled by the government’s irresponsibility towards its citizens.
The latest arrests took place during a police raid of the Bersih secretariat this morning after which seven staff members were detained for questioning.
“I denounce in the strongest manner the raid and the arrest of Bersih staff today,” Ambiga told FMT. “And I call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
The government’s heavy-handedness during the run-up to the July 9 rally has also caught the former Bar Council president by surprise.
Asked if she had expected such severe clampdowns, Ambiga replied that she was “astounded” at the government’s reaction.
“From day one the general reaction from the powers of authority showed a distinct lack of statesmanship,” she said. “I’m appalled that the government can turn on its people this way.”
“The government is caught in a time warp and is not listening to the voices of the people. My question now is how can a responsible government threaten its people in this manner?”
Death threat
Ambiga also refuted an earlier statement by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, that the Bersih T-shirts are illegal by the virtue of being linked to an illegal rally.
If we look at the eight demands printed on the back of those T-shirts, which of those are illegal?” she asked.
“This is a very unusual stand to take and I have to respectfully disagree with the honourable minister.”
“When one talks about rule of law one must also look at whether that law is implemented in a sensible fashion or if it flies in the face of reason and good sense. The actions over the last few days are meant to intimidate ordinary citizens.”
Ambiga herself has been on the receiving end of intimidating messages by anti-Bersih supporters. Last week she received a death threat via text message.
Since then no other threats have been made on her life although she continues to be bombarded by angry messages via Twitter.
“But I’m still ever hopeful that good sense will prevail,” she said.
“I can’t say for sure if the crackdowns will see a larger or smaller crowd on July 9 but past experience has shown that any time Bersih is attacked it gets more support from the people.”
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