PEOPLE REALISE AGENDA OF ILLEGAL RALLY ORGANISER

SHAH ALAM, July 4 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said people have realised that demands of the illegal rally organiser go beyond clean and fair elections.

He said this is because the eight demands by the July 9 rally organiser could have been discussed with the Election Commission (EC).

"Statements by party leaders following the arrest of people with certain ideology and activities by foreign non-governmental organisations made people realise the hidden agenda," he said after closing a seminar at Universiti Teknologi MARA, here Sunday.

Asked about subversive elements wanting to topple the government,
Hishammuddin said that he will monitor developments of the illegal rally.

Hishammuddin said the highest priority of the government is the country's security, peace and public order.

"The people can evaluate if there are elements to topple the government or other political considerations by organiser of the July 9 illegal rally."

He said monitoring of websites found that the slogans trumpeted have strayed from the eight demands made by the organiser.

The people should not take things for granted as information received by the ministry found other agenda which the people will soon know.

"If they know after things have happened, then it will be too late and meaningless," he added.

Hishammuddin urged the opposition to test its political strength during elections and not on the streets.

On the arrest of six people under Section 3 (1) Emergency Ordinance, he said it showed that authorities view the rally seriously and he believed police had
good reason.

Asked about the call by 440 silat bodies (self-defence bodies) that Ambiga be stripped of her Malaysian citizenship, he said: "Let us wait for July 9."

He said it is about public security and not individuals like Ambiga as it also involve Umno (United Malays National Organisation) Youth and Perkasa.

"Feedback received shows that many have realised that the rally is not a trivial matter and other parties may exploit it without the organiser's knowledge," he added.
- BERNAMA