The AG's chambers must 'update' the public on police recommendation that three persons be charged for disrupting the Himpunan Hijau gathering in Penang last month.
GEORGE TOWN: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has urged the Attorney-General to take swift action against violent provocateurs who marred the anti-Lynas green gathering here on Feb 26.
Responding to media reports, its Penang branch coordinator Lee Hui Fei said that after investigations the police have now recommended that three persons to be charged with violent conduct during the Himpunan Hijau gathering here last month.
“Suaram calls on the AG Chambers to swiftly bring those responsible for disrupting the peaceful gathering to court.
“The AG chambers to expedite action or at least provide the public with an update on the case,” she insisted.
She said that the authorities needed to send a strong message against the rising violent mob culture.
“The mob culture is threatening and provoking peaceful citizens practicing their constitutional right to free speech and assembly,” Lee said in a statement here today.
On 26 February, anti-Lynas activists gathered at various places nationwide to express their objection against the Australian rare earth miner Lynas’ establishment of the world’s largest rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Kuantan.
All gatherings went on peacefully except for the one in Penang.
Some 30 thugs, wearing Umno shirts and caps, from Tanjung Umno division and Perkasa disrupted demonstration at Esplanade Speakers’ Square.
Led by Penang Perkasa leader Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin, the thugs were unruly, hostile and violent against the anti-Lynas protestors and assaulted two newsmen.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state executive councilors also attend the demonstration.
No action from police
Mohd Rizuad was caught on camera and video showing his shoe to Lim when the chief minister was leaving the place.
Despite the thugs’ rude and offensive taunts, including shoving participants, vandalising posters, placards, and an art installation, Himpunan Hijau participants did not react similarly.
But Lee said the anti-Lynas protestors regretted that the police failed to initiate any action to restrain or detain the violent group throughout nearly an hour commotion.
She chided the Penang CPO Ayub Yaakob’s comments that the organisers did not inform him about the event saying it was unacceptable given that police were ever present to witness the fracas.
Police indeed have always stationed their personnel, including Special Branch officers, at Speakers’ Square daily.
Therefore, Lee said the police have no reason to wait to be informed to execute their statutory duty to protect the public.
She reminded that organising peaceful assemblies was a basic human right that ought to be protected.
Moreover, she said the police cannot witness violence happening right in front of their eyes and claim ignorance.
She said it would have been obvious and easy for the police to identify the violent perpetrators and take prompt action to prevent the kind of disruption.
She called on Ayub to publicly explain why his men did nothing to stop the thugs from disturbing the peaceful assembly.
“The CPO has to be accountable for his men’s action, or rather the lack thereof, when peaceful citizens were threatened with harm by a violent group,” she said.
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