Bersih legal, says High Court

KUALA LUMPUR - Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's order declaring election activists Bersih 2.0 an illegal organisation was overturned by the High Court today.

At the courtroom, High Court (Apellate and Special Powers Division) judge Rohana Yusof said, "The declaration to declare Bersih unlawful was made without taking into account some relevant facts."

The courtroom was crowded with interested parties hoping to see the decision overturned.

Justice Rohana declared Hishamuddin's decision a "tainted" order, saying that Bersih 2.0 was under the remit of the Societies Act even though it was not officially registered. Last year, the Home Minister used section 5 of the Societies Act (1966) to declare Bersih 2.0 unlawful, stating that the unregistered organisation was illegal and caused unease among the people.

The judge also added that since the order had been made one week after the Bersih 2.0 rally, such an order would not be valid or applicable.

In April this year Bersih, the coalition for free and fair elections, held a third rally with the intention of marching on Dataran Merdeka in support of electoral reform. The rally was quashed by police action including the firing of tear gas and water cannons on Bersih supporters.