Datuk Seri Najib Razak called for the rule of law to prevail and for no physical altercations between Bersih 2.0 and the Red Shirts tomorrow. ― Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 ― Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said street protests will not pressure him into stepping down, and that he would accept and respect the will of the people only then the general election is called.

“Any other attempt to overthrow the government before then would be unconstitutional,” The Star Online quoted him as saying yesterday.

PM Najib was asked to comment on concerns of possible violence with simultaneous street rallies being planned by Bersih 2.0 and the Red Shirts tomorrow.

In response, Najib called for the rule of law to prevail and for no physical altercations between the opposing groups.

He also said that street protests would only lead to chaos in the country.

“We have seen this happening in many countries.

“Even the so-called Arab Spring was heralded as an era of change, but instead, it caused misery to the people who were involved in the countries concerned,” Najib told reporters as he wrapped up his three-day visit to Japan yesterday.

“Obviously, I can’t guarantee anything. My decision has always been that one must respect the rule of law and not create trouble and chaos.

“That (street protests) is not going to be good for us, and that is not an accepted culture in our country,” he added.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has said that both Bersih 2.0 and the pro-government Red Shirts movement were not “obeying the law”.

But Bersih 2.0 has insisted that it has complied with requirements under the PAA and will proceed with the fifth edition of its street demonstrations to protest the 1Malaysia Development Berhad controversy and to demand for institutional reforms.