Cops impose 12 conditions for Himpunan Hijau's rally

The police, which have earlier approved the MPK4 field in downtown Kuantan for tomorrow's Himpunan Hijau 2.0 protest, have today stipulated 12 conditions for the rally organiser to abide to.

According to a posting in Pahang police Facebook page, the conditions had been agreed to by both Kuantan police district chief ACP Jasmani Yusoff and the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 steering committee.

Compared with the conditions imposed on the 'Free Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur last month, which banned all sorts of pamphlets and banners as well as loudhailers, the Kuantan police appeared to be more lenient.

While 'seditious pamphlet or banners' are prohibited, those related to Himpunan Hijau 2.0 are allowed. It also said that loudhailers and speakers can be used, but they should not create "uneasiness and disturbance" to residents nearby.

The other conditions are:

• Rally organiser must ensure the participants do not breach the law, make unnecessary noise and disrupt public security.

• The organiser, when requested, should allow senior police officers to record speeches made at the rally.

• If the designated area is full, additional participants will have to disperse and leave the area.

• The organiser is required to advise participants not to bring any weapon, explosive material, firework, and all participants must cooperate with the authorities, including allowing them to conduct inspection if necessary.

• The rally must be held from 10am to 12pm tomorrow.

• The organiser and participants must follow all instructions by the police from time to time to ensure peace and to ease traffic flow during the rally.

• Participants are not allowed to vandalise or damage public property or any property at the venue.

• The organiser must ensure all participants disperse at the end of the rally without turning it into a march.

National laureate to recite poem

When contacted, Himpunan Hijau steering committee chairperson Wong Tack confirmed that he had signed papers agreeing to the 12 conditions.

He added that the conditions were reasonable and the organising committee had "no issues" adhering to them.

"I'm very surprised at the police treatment. They were very polite and I think they sympathise with us because behind the uniform, they have families living here too," he said.

Meanwhile, the steering committee released a tentative programme for tomorrow's rally.

It will begin with the singing of the national anthem at 9am and this will be followed by a prayer recital.

National laureate A Samad Said will then read a poem before a 20-minute session called 'The Power of Silence'.

The rally will end at noon following a declaration dubbed 'The People Aspiration'.

After the rally, the organisers plan to call a press conference at 1pm at a hotel nearby.

About 20,000 people are expected to attend the rally, which is called to protest against the Lynas rare earth plant being built in Gebeng.