PETALING JAYA – Pakatan Harapan will proceed to hold its anti-kleptocracy rally this Saturday in Padang Timur here despite not obtaining approval from the police.
Pakatan Harapan deputy president Mohamad Sabu said the organisers were served the letter of objection from the Petaling Jaya police on Tuesday, citing traffic issues as its main concern.
He added the short notice provided by the police made it impossible for the venue to be shifted to other places.
“We will write back to the police to inform them of our cooperation with the authorities to manage the traffic during the rally.
“There is no other venue. As this is a stationary gathering, it incurred high cost in installing the broadcasting system such as the LCD screen,” he told a press conference at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
The “Sayangi Malaysia, Hapus Kleptokrasi” (Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy) rally which is aimed at expressing discontentment towards the government, is slated to be held in Padang Timur from 4pm to midnight.
In the letter of objection signed by Petaling Jaya district police chief Mohd Zani Che Din, the police said the rally would cause traffic disruption on several major roads around the city.
Mohd Zani also said that the capacity of Padang Timur would be unable to handle the large number of participants, adding that the police had suggested to the organiser to move the venue to the MBPJ Stadium during their previous meeting.
“We have also received objections from concerned parties in Petaling Jaya over traffic congestion if the event proceeds,” Mohd Zani said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Selangor DAP chief Tony Pua said the police should not obstruct the rally as the rights to peaceful assembly are guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.
He added the organisers had cooperated with the authorities by fully complying with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“We have been very cooperative. The police previously said no to marches and that gatherings need to be held on a field and in a controlled area. We are practically facilitating everything.
“What else do they want?” he said.
– Sundaily
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.