Will Bersih 2.0 and Putrajaya settle the RM122,000 damages suit?

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Bersih 2.0 and Putrajaya are exploring a settlement for the RM122,000 damages suit.

Bersih 2.0 and the Putrajaya administration are currently in discussions to resolve the RM122,000 lawsuit concerning damages to government property during the April 28 rally for electoral reforms held last year. Both parties have agreed to explore the possibility of a settlement, leading to an adjournment of the case until January.
Settlement Discussions Underway

Co-chairman of Bersih 2.0, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, confirmed that both sides have agreed to explore avenues for settling the legal matter. This agreement was reached following discussions between legal representatives of Bersih 2.0 and the government. The case has been adjourned to January to allow for these settlement possibilities to be investigated.
Government Willing to Consider Proposal

Senior Federal Counsel Azizan Md Arshad, representing the government, indicated that the plaintiff is open to considering a settlement proposal put forth by Bersih 2.0. He stated that the government would seriously examine the proposal and present it to higher authorities for review. This willingness to consider a settlement suggests a mutual interest in resolving the dispute outside of a full trial.
Background of the Lawsuit

The federal government initiated the lawsuit on May 23 last year against Ambiga and nine other Bersih 2.0 steering committee members. The suit was filed under section 6(2)(g) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, alleging a failure by the organisers to ensure the rally did not cause property damage. The government is seeking a declaration of breach of this section and claiming RM122,000 for the repair of 15 vehicles, alongside general damages and interest.
Counter-Suit Filed by Ambiga

In response, Ambiga filed a counter-suit against Putrajaya on June 8 last year. Her legal action claims that the government violated her constitutional rights. A key argument in her counter-suit is that the PAA, specifically section 6, unduly restricts the right to freedom of assembly, thereby challenging the constitutionality of the Act itself. This marks the first instance of the government using the PAA against rally organisers and the first legal challenge to the PAA's constitutionality. The government's case has since expanded to include Ambiga and 14 other individuals. The trial, originally scheduled to commence imminently, has been rescheduled to January 6-10, with case management set for September 20.

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Will Bersih 2.0 and Putrajaya settle the RM122,000 damages suit?

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