KUALA LUMPUR - Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz has called on police to take firm action after a firecracker explosion disrupted the "Tangkap Azam Baki" rally in front of a shopping complex here today, saying the incident was the work of unknown individuals and not affiliated with the organisers.
Speaking to Sinar Daily on the ground, Faisal said the coalition believed the explosion was deliberately staged to destabilise the peaceful assembly.
"It was done by unknown people and of course, we believe it's from an agent provocateur. It is not from us.
"We urge the police to take serious action and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We are not the ones who provoke or wanted any kind of explosion or whatever," he said.
He stressed that Bersih's position on violence remained unequivocal.
"It is important to note that we are against all violence when it comes to peaceful assembly," he said.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by firecrackers, occurred at around 3.30pm while student groups were delivering speeches from atop a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Police swiftly cordoned off the area with yellow tape for further investigation. It is understood that no injuries were reported.
The rally, organised by the "Tangkap Azam Baki" secretariat, drew activists, students and opposition figures demanding accountability from outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, whose tenure ends on May 12, as well as the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate him and reforms to the MACC chief appointment process.