In a statement issued by the Bersih steering committee today, it said the reasons given by Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun were flimsy and showed his failure to understand that the police did not have the authority to decide on the venue or have the final say on whether the rally would proceed or not.

It added that the 10-day notice period was given to inform the police under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, and that their role was to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful assembly, not criminalise it.

Earlier today, Fuzi said no permit had been given for the rally on Oct 14, following several police reports by residents in Petaling Jaya.

He suggested that organisers hold the rally at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya, which he said could accommodate a larger crowd, adding that failure to adhere to police instruction would be dealt with under the PAA.

However, Bersih said the right to peaceful assembly was an important part of a wider democratic process in Malaysia.

It urged Fuzi to allow the rally to proceed, and for the police to facilitate the gathering.

“Mohamad Fuzi Harun is in prime position to mark a shift in the Royal Malaysian Police’s approach toward public gatherings and rallies, compared to his iron-fisted predecessor’s approach of outlawing rallies in the past,” it said.

“The IGP proved the police force was ready for a change in recognising the right to assemble that all Malaysians have under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, as seen in last month’s ‘Wanita Bantah Politik Toksik’ gathering.

“In the same vein, Saturday’s rally to be held at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya, should be no different.”