SEORANG PEMIMPIN PAKATAN MULA BERCAKAP RASIONAL.

Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has become the first Pakatan Rakyat leader to oppose holding the Bersih 3.0 rally at Dataran Merdeka.

Tunku Abdul Aziz, who is also DAP vice-chairperson, said he opposed street demonstrations and warned that the event slated for Saturday would cause chaos.

"They all start with peaceful intentions. No one wants to cause chaos... But it can turn out to be violent and when that happens, who will be responsible?" he said.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tunku Abdul Aziz said it was "irresponsible" of opposition lawmakers to support the holding of the rally at Dataran Merdeka because he believes the act would violate the law.

Bersih should instead take up the authorities' offer for an alternative venue as they are better at deciding security concerns.

"The whole idea is to protest. Why does it matter where? DBKL is the owner of (Dataran Merdeka)," he said.

Asked if his view went against the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Tunku Abdul Aziz said he had "all (his) adult life" been a defender of individual freedom and human rights.

"I am not opposed to assembly, the law provides for us to assemble but what I'm saying is: Who is responsible for security in our country? The police.

"Whatever we do, we have to consult the police. If they advise us (to) change our route (or) should do it somewhere else, that's what we should do because (they) are an established legal authority," he said.

He also admitted that not all laws were good laws, but leaders and lawmakers should push for changes in Parliament and not on the streets.

However, the 78-year-old pointed out that this was his personal opinion which he had raised with his DAP colleagues.

He could not say if others in Pakatan Rakyat shared his views.

"We may be part of any party or organisation, but that does not mean we abandon our conscience," he said.

In the wake of his controversial remarks, Tunku Abdul Aziz later issued a written statement to the press late this afternoon saying that he had spoken to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang on the matter.

"I wish to reiterate, even though I do not agree with the approach taken by Bersih, that is my personal view.