Maria Chin: Police understand Bersih 4 won't enter Dataran

KUALA LUMPUR: Police and electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 have cleared the confusion over the exact location the protesters of Bersih 4.0 would be gathering on Aug 29 and 30.

Bersih 2.0 chief and activist Maria Chin Abdullah (pic) said the police finally understood that protesters would only be gathering in the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka, as opposed to entering the square, during the rally.

"They were under the impression that we were going to enter the square but we're not.

"Since that has been cleared, we are negotiating with the police on how to go about it," she said outside of Dang Wangi police district headquarters after a meeting with the police on Wednesday.

Maria, who labelled the meeting as "positive", said they would be re-planning their routes as several points in Kuala Lumpur would be closed for Merdeka celebration.

"We are cooperating with the police. The police have also assured us that they will be facilitating us in terms of security.

"I cannot say when the next meeting will be but we believe they know there is an urgency to discuss this matter as soon as possible.

"Our plans will be based on how the police plan to go about it. We will let everyone know in due time," she said.

Asked on a statement by the Home Ministry that labelled Bersih 4.0 as illegal, Maria said the rally was an event and it could not be registered.

"How can we register an event? If they're talking about Bersih, we are a coalition of registered non-governmental organisations. We do not need to re-register ourselves.

"Plus, we are not criminals. This is our way of celebrating the national day and we have advised rally-goers to gather peacefully.

"In fact, in our meeting with the police, we told them to take action against those who choose to act barbarically.

"We must be responsible in our action. Our stand is simple, we want clean and fair elections, as well as the right to have a clean government but we will do it peacefully," she said.