Saifuddin backs cops, pans 'irresponsible parties' for ruckus at rally

 

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has come forward to back the police’s action during an anti-Israel rally yesterday, which resulted in a commotion and injury.

While expressing solidarity with the plight of the Palestinians, he condemned the actions of certain “irresponsible parties” who had attempted to obstruct the police from carrying out their duties during the rally.

“The police were there to maintain public order. Yet, some quarters went overboard until an officer got injured,” he said in a statement today.

The rally outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon saw the arrests of two individuals for allegedly obstructing the police.

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It was held after the Israeli naval forces detained activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) vessels, which were headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said one of his personnel suffered injuries during the scuffle after supposedly being assaulted by a protester.

Groups condemn cops

Civil society groups - including Suaram, Amnesty International Malaysia, Justice for Sisters, and PSM - had subsequently condemned the arrests.

They also urged the Home Ministry to review police protocols and ensure that all officers adopt a facilitative, rights-based approach to managing assemblies.

Protesters rally on Thursday against Israeli naval forces’ interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla

The groups alleged that the police failed to manage the situation properly, adding that some personnel even instigated the scuffle.

Malaysiakini was made to understand that the two protesters were released last night at around 9.30pm.

Heed the law

Saifuddin reiterated that the right to assemble peacefully must be exercised in compliance with the law - without compromising public safety or obstructing civil servants from performing their official duties.

"No party can use the pretext of assembly to provoke disorder or create threats to national security," he added.

Heaping laurels at the police, Saifuddin said he was confident that the former would continue to fulfil their responsibilities in accordance with the law to ensure public safety and order are always maintained.

“At the same time, I urge the public to respect the law and cooperate with the authorities,” he added. - Mkini