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‘Keep to electoral process’<br><small>BN does not manipulate polls, rally organisers told</small>

Posted: 26 Jun 2011 09:17 PM PDT

2011/06/27
By Minderjeet Kaur
mkaur@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister yesterday urged the organisers of the Bersih 2.0 rally to participate in the electoral process, citing Pas' long rule of Kelantan and Barisan Nasional's defeat in five states in 2008 as unmistakable proof of a free and fair process.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said BN would rule in all the states if the Election Commission had manipulated votes on behalf of the coalition.

The BN chairman, who was speaking at the 58th People's Progressive Party general assembly, also delivered a decisive message to the rally organisers.

"If you have the guts, fight in the general election. If there is any chaos, you will face the consequences," he said.

And referring to those intending to take part in the rally, Najib said they, too, would have to face any consequences. The rally was reportedly being held to pass a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong calling for free and fair elections.

"They say it is to stop the manipulation of votes.

"If we manipulate votes, then why are there five states under the opposition? How did Pas rule Kelantan for so many years?" Specifically referring to the loose grouping of DAP, Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, which supposedly endeavoured to "correct the voting system in the country", Najib said: "They need to correct their own parties first before correcting the Election Commission. During their so-called reformasi meetings, they were known to throw chairs, coupled with incidences of boxing matches." He said BN would rule the country if the people still supported it.

"The power is with the people. We will fight till the end. And we will do it according to the law, which is to protect the interest of the people." He said the recent spate of by-elections and the Sarawak election showed the people's support returning to BN. "We have managed to reverse the trend. Our plans for the economy have worked" He said the recent victories in Merlimau, Tenang, Kerdau and other areas proved BN as a product and a brandwas still supported by the people.

Independent studies and research showed BN was on the right track as there was clarity of goals, vision and strateg ic plans to achieve developed nation status.

"We will always be with the rakyat.

And we will fulfil our promises."

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Hisham: ISA may be used against organisers

Posted: 26 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT

Hisham: ISA may be used against organisers

2011/06/26
By Ahmad Fairuz Othman, Haspaizi Mohd Zain and Md Fuzi Lateh
news@nst.com.my

HULU SELANGOR: The Home Ministry has not ruled out the possibility of detaining those involved in the Bersih 2.0 Rally under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would not discriminate when it came to enforcing the law.

"It does not matter if it is Bersih, Perkasa or Umno Youth -- anyone who is found to be a threat to national security can be detained under the ISA," he said yesterday.

"For the time being, other laws can be utilised. We have not reached that level yet. We will monitor the situation," Hishammuddin, who is also the Umno vice-president, said after opening the Hulu Selangor Umno division meeting.

He said the ministry's responsibilities were to ensure the country's state of peace was maintained.

"We cannot allow some quarters to exploit matters that could jeopardise our country's sovereignty."

In Pasir Gudang, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin reminded undergraduates at institutions of higher learning to refrain from getting involved in illegal assemblies.

He said this when asked on the possibility of undergraduates participating in the planned rally on July 9 in Kuala Lumpur.

"I believe the undergraduates can judge what is right or wrong when it comes to such an activity, because the main purpose the government provides tertiary education is for them to think rationally.

"I hope they do not make the wrong decision by getting involved in the illegal assembly to avoid being trapped in a political game," he said after launching the Attack Pasir Gudang community programme by students of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka here yesterday.

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Hisham: ISA may be used against organisers

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Ahad, 26 Jun 2011