Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) has rejected Pakatan Rakyat's application to hold its latest 'Black 505' rally at Padang Merbok on June 22.
At a press conference today, mayor Ahmad Phesal Talib revealed that the council had made the decision based on three reasons.
Firstly, he said the Malaysian Olympic Council will be holding an event on the field on June 23.
He noted that organisers will be performing "logistics preparations" a day earlier, and that they had made the booking last year.
Secondly, he said the rally will cause a massive traffic jam as the field is close to several of Kuala Lumpur's main arteries.
According to Ahmad Phesal, the roads that would be affected included Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Raja and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
“If they are holding the rally from 11am to 6pm, it will cause problems to those who want to go in or out of the capital,” he added.
And finally, Ahmad Phesal (right) said that the council rejected the application on grounds that they need to "protect" the decoration and landscape along Jalan Parlimen.
“Jalan Parlimen is a protocol road - we had renovated it with beautiful landscaping and relevant facilities, and it is a popular place for bicycling during weekends,” he said.
'Organisers should seek other venues'
Pakatan initially planned to hold the ‘Black 505’ rally on June 15, although it was later postponed to June 22. PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli has stressed that the opposition pact “will not budge” from its current plan.
Ahmad Phesal stressed that organisers should seek other venues - particularly enclosed spaces - such as stadiums.
“DBKL is not allowing Padang Merbok to be used, but will assist them to look for a more suitable place, such as the rally they held (on May 8) in Selangor,” said Ahmad Phesal.
He recommended that Pakatan should organise the rally either at the Merdeka stadium or the Titiwangsa stadium.
“They can’t hold (the rally) at the Bukit Jalil stadium because the field is spoiled. And as for the Cheras stadium, it’s under renovation.”
He also said that DBKL will be arranging a meeting on 8am June 14, to meet with the Pakatan leadership and the police to discuss on how to ensure that the programme can be held.
He noted that the hawkers could do better business if the rally is held in a proper place.
“We are not stopping them (from holding the rally), as this is part of the decision of the government in terms of rally policies. Just that we, DBKL, feel that they should hold it in an enclosed place to provide the opportunity for the hawkers to do business,” he added.
When asked on his actions if Pakatan insists on holding the rally at the field, Ahmad Phesal responded that the DBKL enforcement officers and the police will act according to the law.
At a press conference today, mayor Ahmad Phesal Talib revealed that the council had made the decision based on three reasons.
Firstly, he said the Malaysian Olympic Council will be holding an event on the field on June 23.
He noted that organisers will be performing "logistics preparations" a day earlier, and that they had made the booking last year.
Secondly, he said the rally will cause a massive traffic jam as the field is close to several of Kuala Lumpur's main arteries.
According to Ahmad Phesal, the roads that would be affected included Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Raja and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
“If they are holding the rally from 11am to 6pm, it will cause problems to those who want to go in or out of the capital,” he added.And finally, Ahmad Phesal (right) said that the council rejected the application on grounds that they need to "protect" the decoration and landscape along Jalan Parlimen.
“Jalan Parlimen is a protocol road - we had renovated it with beautiful landscaping and relevant facilities, and it is a popular place for bicycling during weekends,” he said.
'Organisers should seek other venues'
Pakatan initially planned to hold the ‘Black 505’ rally on June 15, although it was later postponed to June 22. PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli has stressed that the opposition pact “will not budge” from its current plan.
Ahmad Phesal stressed that organisers should seek other venues - particularly enclosed spaces - such as stadiums.
“DBKL is not allowing Padang Merbok to be used, but will assist them to look for a more suitable place, such as the rally they held (on May 8) in Selangor,” said Ahmad Phesal.
He recommended that Pakatan should organise the rally either at the Merdeka stadium or the Titiwangsa stadium.
“They can’t hold (the rally) at the Bukit Jalil stadium because the field is spoiled. And as for the Cheras stadium, it’s under renovation.”
He also said that DBKL will be arranging a meeting on 8am June 14, to meet with the Pakatan leadership and the police to discuss on how to ensure that the programme can be held.
He noted that the hawkers could do better business if the rally is held in a proper place.
“We are not stopping them (from holding the rally), as this is part of the decision of the government in terms of rally policies. Just that we, DBKL, feel that they should hold it in an enclosed place to provide the opportunity for the hawkers to do business,” he added.
When asked on his actions if Pakatan insists on holding the rally at the field, Ahmad Phesal responded that the DBKL enforcement officers and the police will act according to the law.
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