Speech by M.Kula Segaran at the DAP Taman Permai Dinner held at Karak Chinese Temple Hall, Pahang on Sunday, 6^th May 2012:

My challenge to the PM - If you are a true reformist, lets fight fair and square at the coming ge

Before the Bersih 3.0 sit in protest for free, a fair and clean election was held on April 28, speculation was rife that the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak would call the nation's 13^th general election in June.

Only one factor could cause a delay in his plan - the outcome of and the people's mood after the Bersih 3.0 sit in protest.

After the historic 428 sit in protect which attracted 200, 000 participants and where there have been allegations of excessive and indiscriminate use of police force, it now appears quite certain that Najib has no choice but to delay his plan.

The BN government can try to play on the violent scenes which happened on 428, put the blame on the protestors, former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir can join in by accusing Pakatan Rakyat of trying to topple the government through violent demonstrations, after all is said and done, the Prime Minister knows very well that the 428 protest has affected his approval ratings among Malaysian voters.

His ratings were affected by the Bersih 2.0 rally that was held on July 9, last year. Malaysians were not happy and could not accept the government's handling of Bersih 2.0 peaceful rally.

And now more Malaysians are angry at more excessive and indiscriminate police brutality at the 428 sit in protest.

Can any right thinking Malaysian accept the seizure of journalists' cameras by the police when the media personnel were only there to do their duty? Can anyone accept the fact that reporters could get beaten up for merely being there to carry out their job of covering the event?

I therefore commend the newspapers and media personnel who have rightly and courageously taken a strong stand against such brutality against the journalists and photographers.

Two days ago, while speaking at a function in Kelantan, the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib said the 428 demonstration was an attempt by irresponsible parties to overthrow the Government.

He was quoted as saying:-

"They wanted to occupy the square for days. That was why Bersih 3.0 organisers rejected the Government's offer for the event to be held at other venues.

"It was an attempt to take over Putrajaya."

These are BN lies and propaganda.

How could the allegation be true when in an immediate response to the court order obtained by the police to ban her, Bersih organizers and the public from entering the Datarn area, Bersih 2.0 Coalition Chairperosm Dato Ambiga had on April 27 said the group would accede to the court order but would continue with its planned protest, saying they would try "to get as close to Dataran Merdeka" without breaking the law.

Where was the intention and plan to occupy the Dataram Merdeka as alleged by the Prime Minister?

If there was a plan to occupy the Dataran Merdeka, why would Ambiga on April 28 announce at the Masjid Jamek meeting at about 2.30pm the successful holding of the sit in protest and called for the ending and dispersal of the crowd?

The BN's efforts to try to demonise the Bersih protest will be futile.

Instead of engaging at futile propaganda, the Government must ensure justice for the victim of police brutality.

At the same function in Kelantan, Najib had also said:-

"To these people, I challenge them to fight' at the ballot box. If you are anak jantan (man), let us fight there."

I will issue this challenge the Prime Minister- if you are a true reformist; let's fight fair and square in the coming general election.

Implement the 8 Bersih demands before the next general election if you want to fight fair and square.

Prove to Malaysians that you are not afraid to fight fair and square at the ballot box.

* M. Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for Ipoh Barat