“They (Bersih 2.0) should stay focused on the issue of fair elections which were their objectives from the beginning,” Khalid told FMT when contacted.

The nation’s top cop was responding to an earlier announcement by the chairman of the electoral watchdog, Maria Chin Abdullah, that a rally would be held to protest the government’s continuing “denial and inaction” over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Khalid added, “Their (Bersih 2.0) purpose of demonstrating must be clearly laid out.”

The IGP also said he had no qualms about the group’s intentions to hold the rally, provided “they followed the provisions of the law.” He was referring to the group’s right to assemble under the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Last week, Khalid said the police would not approve any street demonstrations demanding Najib Razak resign as Prime Minister.

He also said “it was not right” for Bersih 2.0 to hold a rally to demand that Najib step down as there were other means to get a prime minister to resign.

Bersih 2.0’s announcement today follows the lawsuits filed by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) to seize assets “involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB.”

The DoJ alleged the offences were committed over a four-year period and involved multiple individuals, including Malaysian officials and their associates, who conspired to fraudulently divert billions of dollars from 1MDB.

Bersih 2.0’s announcement also saw Jamal Yunos of Umno respond by saying he would organise a counter Red Shirts rally on the same day.