SEBERANG PERAI, Nov 2 — The Penang chapter of electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 accused the police of “intimidation” today, after a member of its northern peninsula secretariat was questioned over its Bersih 5 rally awareness programme last month.
The secretariat member Lee Chung Lun, who turned up at the Central Seberang Perai district police headquarters at about 1.40pm today, claimed it was a tactic to stop the group from organising future Bersih-related events.
"They called me last night to come in and have my statement recorded over a Bersih 5 awareness programme we held at Sunway Carnival Mall on October 7 where we handed out flyers to the public," he said.
However, he admitted that the police who called him did not say if they were investigating him or if they only wanted his statement.
Bersih 2.0 northern peninsula vice-chairman Dr Toh Kin Woon who accompanied Lee also claimed the questioning to be a form of intimidation.
“I want to call out to everyone not to be afraid by these threats and intimidation tactics to stop Bersih 5 rally on November 19, we must stick to our principles to continue fighting for clean and fair election," he said.
He added that since the launch of the Bersih 5 awareness programme in October, Bersih 2.0 have been the target of threats, challenges and disruption from critics.
“The Red Shirts have threatened us and we have faced intimidation by the police,” he said, referring to the counter-movement led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Yunos.
"I don't understand why this is happening when our Federal Constitution clearly provides for us do this provided it was done peacefull and all our programmes and rallies are held peacefully," he said.
Bersih 2.0 recently launched its nationwide Bersih 5 awareness campaign to spread awareness to the rural areas on its objectives and the upcoming rally in Kuala Lumpur.
The Red Shirts have since held two demonstrations in protest in Penang, demanding that the Bersih 5 rally be cancelled.
There were also death threats made against Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
