Anti-TPPA protest expected to be bigger than Bersih 4, says Bersih 2.0 chairman

PETALING JAYA: The anti Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) protest, scheduled to be held this Saturday at Dataran Merdeka, is expected to draw a much bigger crowd than the massive Bersih 4 held in August last year.
Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said the electoral watchdog will take part in the rally and has invited all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the public to join as a show of protest against the TPPA signing.
"Bersih 2.0 supports the Anti-TPPA protest and urges all supporters of Bersih 1, 2, 3 and 4 rallies to join us at Dataran Merdeka," she said at a press conference today, adding that the police hopefully will help manage traffic flow and crowd control at Dataran Merdeka and nearby areas.
"This is going to be a much bigger crowd and we expect the police to do their duty," she added.
The peaceful anti TPPA protest is held just two days before a special parliamentary sitting on Jan 26 to debate whether Malaysia should sign the agreement or not.
Maria said the protest organiser had already conducted an engagement with the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall to use Dataran Merdeka as the venue.
She added prior notice has been given to the police over the protest, in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act.
The protest, to be held from 2pm will see the participation of more than 600 NGOs, along with several other civil societies.
Meanwhile, Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah said police have yet to receive a complete permit application from the organiser of the anti TPPA demonstration.
Zainol said the organisers previously submitted a notification form last Tuesday but it was incomplete.
He had also suggested the organisers to hold the rally at Padang Merbok if they could secure permission from the venue owner.
"The organiser said if the demonstration was held at Padang Merbok, it would not reach their target ... they are expecting around 20,000 people to attend," he added.