There Might Be Consequences If You Use The Freedom You Have, Warns Minister Ismail Sabri
"Not all freedoms must be used."
By Sadho Ram — 17 Nov 2016, 02:19 AM
In a direct reference to Bersih 5 happening on this Saturday, 19 November, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has warned Malaysians to follow the police warnings and not take part in the rally as something might happen
According to The Malay Mail Online, which first reported the Federal Minister speaking to reporters after attending a MARA engagement programme with Bumiputera entrepreneurs yesterday, 16 November, Ismail Sabri believes that "the freedom to assemble also means the freedom NOT TO DO SO."
"Freedom doesn't mean that we have to use the freedom," he said, adding, "We must know the consequences of our action. Don't just, for the sake of freedom, we do it and in the end, it causes commotions," the English portal reported.
While pointing out that previous encounters between Bersih and Red Shirts have already resulted in altercations, and more could occur should they clash on Saturday, he said, "When the police issue a warning, surely they sense something will happen"
Ismail voiced his support to IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's warning in which the country's top cop had said that action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law.
However, it appears his own party member hasn't received the memo about "freedom doesn't mean that we have to use the freedom" as UMNO information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa has reportedly said that the Malay nationalist party will not stop members who wished to participate with Red Shirts against Bersih 5
"We are not stopping them. Let's be frank. Most UMNO members are not happy with Bersih and some, of course, want to join the crowd and Baju Merah (Red Shirts)," Annuar Musa was quoted as saying by The Malay Mail Online.
He, however, added that it would strictly be at a personal level as the party hasn't "made any decision but we are not stopping any members if they want to go".
While the police had declared both Bersih 5 and Red Shirts upcoming rallies on Saturday illegal, saying neither group has met the legal requirements needed to rally in KL, Bersih claims that it has met all conditions of Peaceful Assembly Act 2012
But the same can't be said about Red Shirts, whose leader, Jamal Md Yunos, has reportedly warned that he cannot guarantee the actions of his 'hungry' supporters during the Bersih 5 rally this Saturday, reported Malaysiakini.
"I am not sure about my supporters because whoever comes on that day, I won't prepare food. For sure those who come on that day are 'hungry'," the UMNO Sungai Besar division chief was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
The Red Shirts, Jamal said, will gather 300,000 people on Saturday "to prevent Bersih supporters from gathering, speaking, spreading lies and ultimately inciting hate towards the government"