Bersih leaders to give statement to cops over ‘Reformasi 100%’ rally tomorrow

Police probing gathering under Peaceful Assembly Act for failing to provide notice

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim holding up a memorandum submitted by Bersih, flanked by the group’s deputy chairman (left) Wong Yan Ke and chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, March 5, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – Bersih’s top leaders have been summoned by police tomorrow over the movement’s recent demonstration outside Parliament.

On X, Bersih said its chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz and deputy chairman Wong Yan Ke are to be at the Dang Wangi police headquarters at 12.30pm tomorrow.

Also summoned is Bersih representative Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar.

The three are to have their statements recorded over the protest dubbed “Reformasi 100%,” which saw them marching from the National Monument to Parliament’s gates.

Following the protest, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said three individuals would be summoned for holding the rally. 

Police have opened an investigation paper under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. The section pertains to failure to provide police a notice of an assembly.

At the February 27 rally, Bersih protestors managed to submit a memorandum on their demands to Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, Selayang MP William Leong and Sg Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.

The next day, Bersih’s steering committee held a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over their demands, which include the reform promises Anwar’s coalition, Pakatan Harapan, had made previously but had yet to fulfil.

These include reforming the Election Offences Act 1954, introducing a political funding law, redelineation of electoral areas, as well as a separation of power between the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the public prosecutor’s office. 

Bersih is also demanding a moratorium on the issuing of a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for high-profile corruption cases. – March 5, 2024