KLCC gardeners disrupt 'Kill the Bill' picnic (with VIDEO)

Anti Peaceful Assembly Bill activists protested for the fourth consecutive week, this time with a picnic amidst a backdrop of deafening leave blowers and water sprinklers.

Close to 100 picnickers who had laid out their mats and food under a shady tree scrambled out of the way as the water sprinkler suddenly came alive, jetting water directly on them.

One of the protestors,Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) civil rights committee chairperson Liau Kok Fah said it was too much of a coincidence.

"They (park management) did it on purpose. My father was a farmer, you only water plants in the morning or at night, if you do it in the heat of the afternoon the plants will die," he said.

This was the second time water sprinklers had been turned on while the groupprotested at KLCC park, the last being on Dec 3 when national laureate A Samad Said was present.

The group settled down away from the water sprinklers only to have gardeners switching on their loud leave blowers for more than half an hour in the vicinity.

Another gardener trimmed the plants with a small buzzing saw.

Petition against Assembly bill

The picnic, organised by KillTheBill.org is its last gathering this year and was intended to gather signatures for a petition against the Peaceful Assembly Bill, expected to tabled at the Dewan Negara next week.

"We will gather signatures for the petition here as well as online and we will have our representatives submit it to Parliament on Monday," said organiser Aduka Seri Perkasa.

Commenting on the 'coincidence' of the water sprinklers being turned on and the sudden gardening work, Aduka played down any ill intention by the KLCC park management.

"Perhaps it was our location problem, its good that they are cleaning up the area (for us)," he quipped.

He said the exact number of signatures have not been compiled and an announcement will be made later.

Noting their previous location had been sealed off, Aduka said: "We expected this, but it doesn't matter, we've gathered at different locations in our four protests anyway."

The group, all clad in electoral reform group Bersih's trademark colour shared yellow sushis and cupcakes among themselves before concluding the picnic an hour later with the singing of the national anthem.

Aduka said no more protests will be organised as the activists go on holiday but plans are in store for ushering in the new year with one.

VIDEO l 5.39 mins