Sabah cops allow anti-Anwar demo; bar opposition gatherings

Inconsistent police actions in relation to public gatherings and assemblies irk Sabah PKR

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police have been accused of practicing ‘double-standards’ in relation to public gatherings and assemblies.

Levelling the accusation is a state official who claimed that police were ‘inconsistent’ with the enforcement of the law.

Former minister and current PKR Sabah presidential council member Kong Hong Ming said law enforcement authorities including the police were acting in an unprofessional manner.

Kong was responding to a demonstration by a group of 30 Malaysians of Filipino descent, who held placards criticising PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, next to the Kota Kinabalu High Court near here yesterday.

The group demanded that a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) probe the alleged sex scandal involving Anwar who was purportedly exposed in a ‘sex video’ shown in Kuala Lumpur two days ago.

The gathering lasted for about 10 minutes before they dispersed and Kong said it was nothing more than a well-orchestrated smear campaign to inflict calculated damage on the opposition by the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

“One of the group leaders present in the gathering openly declared that he is a member of Umno from Putatan.

“The others who appeared to be mostly foreigners said that they were merely following their leaders when asked why they were in the gathering.

“It is obviously an open and direct challenge to the authorities concerned when this group of people knowingly organized such an illegal activity and disgraceful smear campaign immediately next the premises of the courts of justice,” he said.

Organised plots

He went on to note that the recent series of gathering and assemblies in Sabah were clearly an organised plot to distract the people from the recent scandals troubling the BN and its leaders which had caused negative perception to the image of the state.

The negative perceptions have apparently disrupted the peaceful, civilized and harmonious society, which is, to some extent the hallmark of the Sabah.

“It is absolutely puzzling as to why such illegal gatherings and assemblies were repeatedly and surprisingly tolerated by the law enforcement authorities especially the police, unless the police had given them the permit to do so.

“Why does the law enforcement authorities practice such double standard and inconsistency?

“Why was such illegal gatherings and assemblies in public place such as the park immediately next to the court premises allowed without any repercussion whereas legitimate gatherings of political parties especially the opposition are subject to stringent control and limits,” he asked. - FMT