PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is ready to engage with the police to ensure that Monday's rally at the Kuala Lumpur court complex will be peaceful and orderly.
Responding to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's demand yesterday, the Gombak MP reiterated that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of political expression are part of a democratic and independent nation.
"Hence I welcome the statement by Hishammuddin and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) which demonstrated the readiness of police to discuss the matter with PKR and Pakatan Rakyat to ensure the smoothness of 901 rally," Azmin ( left ) said.
He then repeated the call to Pakatan members and supporters to attend the peaceful assembly on Monday to express their support for reform.
PKR continues to urge the police to maintain public security, including that of the demonstrators and the people who will rally in Kuala Lumpur.
"We hope violent incidents such as those that took place during the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) tragedy and Bersih 2.0 rally will not be repeated.
"This is the best opportunity for the home minister and IGP to repair police image and revive public confidence in the police institution, in line with the prime minister's pledge to implement political transformation," Azmin said.
The opposition front announced it will gather thousands of members and supporters in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 9, when the High Court is due to deliver its verdict in the sodomy trial of coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Although police have declared the rally illegal, Hishammuddin extended an olive branch yesterday, calling on the organisers to guarantee that it would be held in a peaceful manner.
"The most important thing for the police is to protect and maintain public order, but at the same time in line with the spirit of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011," he was quoted as saying by The Star .
Hishammuddin was also reported as saying it was highly desirable of the organisers to convince the authorities that whatever they were planning would not jeopardise the safety of other people.
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