The party also questions police’s double standard as those who brought along their children to Najib’s rally on the same day have been let off scot-free.
PETALING JAYA: The 14 parents sought by police for bringing along their children to the KL112 rally on Jan 12 have been assured of legal assistance from PAS Youth today.
Its legal team director, Ahmad Zamri Asa’ad Khuzaimi, said the party viewed the police move as “a desperate attempt” and urged the parents to stay calm and contact PAS for assistance.
“We will offer legal help to the 14 parents sought by the police. If the matter goes to court, we will represent all of them,” he said.
Ahmad Zamri’s statement came in the wake of KL police chief Mahmod Salleh’s release of photographs of the 14 yesterday who brought their children to the opposition-led rally.
Mahmod said the act of bringing along children aged below 15 violated conditions under Section 4 (2) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Section 31 (1A) of the Child Act 2001.
“We urge the parents to come forward to facilitate police investigations,” Ahmad Zamri told a press conference yesterday.
The day-long KL112 rally, despite drawing more than 100,000 people to the historic Stadium Merdeka on Jan 12, was an incident-free event.
It was widely seen as the opposition’s show of strength prior to the 13th general election.
What about those at Najib’s rally?
Ahmad Zamri also questioned the police targeting only KL112 participants while those who brought children to Prime Najib Tun Razak’s rally on the same day are being let off.
“Najib’s rally involved children as well. Why no action against them?” he asked in reference to the Himpunan Rakyat Bersama Najib rally outside a shopping centre in Semenyih.
He said although the Peaceful Assembly Act prohibits children from taking part in a rally, the spirit of law guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.
“What happened on Jan 12 is that more than 100,000 people gathered in a peaceful manner.
“It was like a carnival. Are you saying that children are forbidden to even attend a carnival?” asked Ahmad Zamri, adding that the party would argue the case from a technical aspect.
Meanwhile, Suaram, in a statement today condemned the police for wanting to take action against the parents.
“Investigating individuals who brought along children contravenes Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Article 20 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights guarantees the right to assemble peacefully.
“Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia guarantees the freedom to assemble peacefully,” said Suaram coordinator R Thevarajan.
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