PKR ready to discuss 901 rally with police

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali today expressed his readiness to engage with the police to ensure that next Monday's rally will be peaceful and orderly in response to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's demand yesterday.

In a statement issued today, the Gombak MP reiterated that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of political expression are part of a democratic and independent nation.

"Hence I welcome the statement by Hishammuddin and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) which demonstrated the readiness of police to discuss the matter with PKR and Pakatan Rakyat to ensure the smoothness of 901 rally," Azmin (left) said.

He then repeated the call for all Pakatan members and supporters to attend the peaceful assembly on Monday to express their support for reform.

PKR continues to urge the police to maintain public security including that of the demonstrators and the people who will rally in Kuala Lumpur.

"We hope violent incidents such as those that happened during the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) tragedy and Bersih 2.0 rally will not be repeated.

"This is the best opportunity for the home minister and IGP to repair police image and revive public confidence in the police institution, in line with the prime minister's pledge to implement political transformation," he stressed.

The opposition front had announced that it will gather thousands of members and supporters in Kuala Lumpur next Monday, when the High Court is due to deliver its verdict in the sodomy trial of coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Although police had declared the rally illegal, Hishammuddin extended an olive branch yesterday, calling on the organisers to guarantee that the event will be held in a peaceful manner.

"The most important thing for the police is to protect and maintain public order, but at the same time in line with the spirit of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

He was reported as also saying that it was highly desirable that the organisers convince the authorities that whatever they are planning will not jeopardise the safety of other people.