MGCBCHST: Bersih has constitutional right to assemble peacefullv

Press Statement – 25 April 2012

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) supports Bersih’s right to assemble peacefully at Dataran Merdeka on 28/4/2012. lt is their Constitutional right to Assemble Peacefully which is guaranteed in our Federal Constitution by Article 10(1)(b) which provided “all citizens have the riqht to assemble peacefullv and without arms”.

Bersih’s demands for clean and fair elections should be supported by all including their call for electoral reform which is also in accord with Universal religious values. All religions support amongst others, principles of Justice, fairplay, transparency and that no undue advantage is enjoyed by any party to the exclusion of the other.

Any argument that such assembly may cause traffic jams and inconvenience the public is not a legitimate reason, for people are prepared to put up with some inconvenience to allow for the exercise of fundamental rights by others.

The MCCBCHST therefore calls upon the authorities to allow Bersih’s sit-in rally to proceed as planned. The police have the duty and the capacity to ensure that the Assembly proceeds peacefully without disturbance from any quarter. We appeal to all parties to conduct themselves with decorum and honour.