Haris: Street rally will go on
It does not hinge on Pakatan Rakyat’s support, says ABU’s Haris Ibrahim.
Alyaa Azhar, FMT
Anything But Umno (ABU) spokesperson Haris Ibrahim said that a street rally against the Barisan Nasional federal government will go on with or without Pakatan Rakyat’s support.
When asked if he will call off the rally following Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s objection to it, he said: “This is not Pakatan Rakyat’s initiative, rather, it is the rakyat’s initiative.”
“The rally is not hinged on Pakatan’s support. The latest announcement by Anwar yesterday that Pakatan does not condone streets rallis has no bearing on our initiative,” he said.
Haris, however, said that no date has been set for the street rally.
Social activist Hishamuddin Rais echoed Haris’ view by saying that the decision to go on with the street rally will be taken by the rakyat and not Pakatan Rakyat.
Haris told a forum on Monday that pro-Pakatan NGOs would topple the BN federal government through massive street rallies in protest of irregularities during the 13th general election.
“We will take to the streets and take over Putrajaya. If we really want to overthrow them, there is no other way. Democracy does not work.
“The people cannot wait anymore. We don’t want to wait another five years. We will take the streets,” he said.
Police to take preventive steps
Pakatan, however, said that it does not condone overthrowing Barisan Nasional through mass street demonstrations.
“The proposal has never been submitted to us, it has never been discussed by Pakatan. Those are the views of some NGOs,” said Anwar yesterday.
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said his party too, rejected the call for street protests to overthrow the BN government.
While he commended Haris for opposing violent demonstrations, Karpal warned that a street protest may cause unrest if it was not handled properly.
Police on the other hand, have warned against holding a street rally and said they will take preventive measures ahead of the event.
Outgoing Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the statements by the organisers on the rallies were dangerous and provocative.
“Nobody should try to change the government through undemocratic means.
“It must be done only through democratic means. Let the people make their choice through the voting system,” he said.