By Anisah Shukry
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Datuk Jamal Md Yunos could rake in millions of ringgit through the lucky draw he will hold during the “Bersih 4.0” gathering next month, a DAP official said today, suggesting the anti-Bersih trader was exploiting the group for his own gains.
Jamal, who leads the group calling itself “Bersih 4.0”, told reporters on Wednesday that the lucky draw, which offers luxury cars as prizes, is a show of “appreciation” towards those taking part in the on-going protest to demand compensation for alleged losses incurred during the April 28 rally.
But DAP maintained today that Jamal was merely using the “Bersih” name as a marketing strategy to generate millions of ringgit worth of sales and revenue for his Sekinchan Ikan Bakar restaurant in Jalan Pahang as people must spend at least RM50 to take part.
“When studying the terms and conditions (for taking part in the lucky draw), we found that each participant must spend RM50 in a single receipt at the Sekinchan Ikan Bakar restaurant,” said Yew Jia Haur, the secretary for DAP’s Segambut branch, at a press conference here.
“After taking into account operation costs as well as the cost of the BMW offered as the prize, Jamal will generate a gross profit of over RM50.3 million.”
Yew further pointed out that Jamal would generate some additional RM33.8 million from the Lamborghini Gallardo he offered as a second prize.
The competition’s terms and conditions, found on the group’s “Bersih 4.0 Cintakan Keamanan” Facebook page, also stipulates that only the first 150,000 fans to “like” the page would be eligible to win the BMW.
Meanwhile, the first one million fans to “like” the page would be in the running for the Lamborghini.
“This means that if the fans don’t reach 150,000, Jamal has the right to revoke both prizes. He can still gain revenue without even having to give away the car,” said Yew.
As of 1.30pm today, the Facebook page has received 625 “likes”. The lucky draw is expected to take place on June 23, in Stadium Bukit Jalil.
“If Jamal really pulls off this stunt, he will be the only person in the world to make millions from a rally, while Bersih 3.0 organisers face criminal charges and its participants were brutalised and assaulted,” Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said.
“Jamal said he is fighting for the hawkers, but it is clear this (Bersih 4.0) protest will benefit him alone,” he added.
Lim also said Jamal was a “very smart entrepreneur” as the trader would not need to apply for a permit to hold the competition, unless he were to hold a sale in conjunction with it.
Yesterday, Jamal told reporters at a press conference that the Bersih 4.0 group will be visiting Stadium Bukit Jalil on Monday to obtain clearance to set up stalls outside the stadium for the June 23 gathering.
The Anti-Bersih traders also said they will sue the organisers of last month’s Bersih 3.0 rally, claiming it caused them “extensive” financial losses.
On Thursday, 60-odd traders clad in “Bersih 4.0” T-shirts cancelled their plans to set up stalls in front of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s residence, saying the upcoming June 23 gathering to be held at Stadium Bukit Jalil will be used to push their “message of peace” and rejection of “Bersih 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.”
When asked how petty traders could afford to come up with luxury cars for the June 23 event, Jamal said: “As individuals we do have losses but when we unite we can give out these gifts no matter how many million ringgit.
Earlier in the week, the federal government announced it is suing the steering committee of Bersih 2.0 for damages amounting to RM122,000 that it asserts was the result of the April 28 rally organised by the electoral reform movement.
The 10 Bersih leaders, spearheaded by Ambiga, are the first people to be sued for damages under the Peaceful Assembly Act, less than a month after the new law aimed at allowing public gatherings “in accordance with international norms” was enforced.
The April 28 rally that saw tens of thousands gather at six different locations before heading to Dataran Merdeka was peaceful but turned chaotic when riot police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters after a police barricade at the square was breached.