KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commision of Malaysia (Suhakam) says it is the right of the people to assemble and to express their views in a peaceful manner.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said the right to do so was provided for under Article 10(1) (b) of the Federal Constitution as well as Article 20(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“We recall the recommendations we made for the Government to respect the freedom of assembly,” he said adding that the commission had also recommended to the police to use non-violent methods to control or disperse the crowd during an assembly.

The Commission, he said, called on the authorities to allow the peaceful assemblies by Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa to allow them to exercise their rights in an orderly and responsible manner.

The Commission, he said, would closely monitor the event.

In a related development, Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk S. Ambiga said the funding for the event came from public donations and member non-governmental organisations.

She refused to divulge more details on the matter, saying that a press conference would be held to explain it further.

The matter became an issue after it was reported that the main funding for the proposed rally came from foreign NGOs with money channelled through local organisations.

Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali who was also called in for questioning by the police claimed the majority of Malaysians were against the rally.

“If Bersih continues with its rally, we will continue with ours. We too want to voice our displeasure about Bersih.

“I urge the police to take whatever action necessary under the law to stop Bersih from organising the rally,” he said.