KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — Mass protests like Bersih 5 is proof that Malaysia practises a "healthy democracy” that will boost tourism, minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

"It is a good advertisement for Malaysia. We ensured that we allow for a peaceful rally even if it is against the law,” the tourism and culture minister told Malay Mail Online when contacted yesterday.

"The concept of peaceful assembly only allows [organisers] to demonstrate in certain places, which the organisers today failed to understand. We are very tolerant and it is a good boost for the economy as democracy here is healthy,” Nazri added.

More than 10,000 people took to the streets of the capital city yesterday at the fifth edition of polls reform group Bersih 2.0’s demonstrations to protest against corruption. Though the Bersih 5 demonstration ended peacefully without incident, PKR leaders Chua Tian Chang and Zuraida Kamaruddin were arrested late last night, the former for rioting. Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah instead was detained yesterday morning under an anti-terrorism law, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Nazri, who is Padang Rengas MP, sarcastically said that Bersih 2.0 should hold a rally monthly so his ministry could help promote it as a tourist attraction.

"Fix a date every month so I can put in calendar for tourists to come. I want tourists to know we practise democracy here. I would like to congratulate them for helping us.

"The rally itself is peaceful and gives me confidence that we can hold many more,” Nazri said.

Taking a swipe at former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was one of the rally’s headliners, Nazri said despite Dr Mahathir’s criticisms against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he was powerless and in fact indebted to the current top leadership.

"This is not the way to bring down the government. With 10,000 or 20,000 people, it wouldn’t make a difference. Mahathir and Muhyiddin [are] politically stupid,” he said referring to former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He added that Dr Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and its participation in Bersih 5 was thanks to Najib passing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"We have passed PAA during Najib’s time and not Mahathir’s. Mahathir is harvesting the fruits of Najib’s labour,” Nazri said.

Nazri, who is also Umno supreme council member, also defended the crackdown on over 16 individuals ahead of the rally.

"In law, anything that is criminal, there is no indication of a timeline (to arrest). It’s not a contract where there is a tenure for limitation.

"But, when it comes to criminal activities there is no limitation. Police can investigate up to five year’s time,” he said.