KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The High Court here today was told that
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had the power to declare Bersih as
an unlawful society and he had acted in accordance with the law.
Senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad said the minister''s decision was
also based on national security and public order and such decision was legal.
Azizan said this in his submission at the judicial review proceeding, filed
by 14 members of the movement''s steering committee, including Datuk S. Ambiga,
against the home minister, inspector-general of police (IGP) and the government.
In his submission, Azizan also said that Ambiga and the 13 others whom she
acted for this application had no locus standi and the decision of the home
minister in declaring Bersih as an unlawful society was reasonable and rational.
Lawyer Tommy Thomas, who represented all the applicants, submitted that
Hishammuddin had failed to act in accordance with Section 5 of the Societies Act
1966.
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COURT-BERSIH 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
"The minister had erred in the exercise of his power and his decision should
accordingly be quashed," he said.
Judge Datuk Rohana Yusuf fixed July 24 for decision.
On Sept 28 last year, the steering committee was granted leave by the High
Court for a judicial review.
They seek to quash the home minister''s order dated July 1, declaring
Bersih 2.0 an unlawful society, and a declaration that the order was null and
void and of no effect.
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