KOTA KINABALU – Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu says there was no reason to detain activists for staging a protest at Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday (Sept 15) as such protests were a normal part of democracy.
The Parti Amanah Negara president better known as Mat Sabu, who is in town for the national level Malaysia Day celebrations, said there was no problem as the protesters did not take up arms.
“That (protests) is a normal thing for a democratic nation.
“I was also detained tens of times. It’s normal, it’s not a big issue.
“The activists didn’t take up arms so there is no problem,” Mat Sabu told reporters here on Sunday (Sept 16) after paying a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal at a hotel here.
Earlier on Sunday (Sept 16) morning, a crowd of about 100 joined the “Pandang Ke Sabah” rally, co-organised by several student groups.
Eight activists were detained and claimed to have been manhandled by police trying to disperse the crowd.
Sabah Parti Amanah Negara Youth chief Mohd Khairudin Daud was among the eight arrested.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman had given his word that the activists would be released by 7pm on Sunday, said Sabah Parti Amanah Negara chief Haris Alimudin.
“They are just being detained by the police to have their statements recorded,” he said, adding that Mohd Khairudin will not be subject to disciplinary action by the party as he was merely practising the principle of democracy.
“Both sides did their jobs. One side practised democracy and the other did their job as the law enforcement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who is also in town for the Malaysia Day celebrations, pledged his support for the eight activists.
“I just finished my townhall (meeting) with the Youths here. Am otw (on the way) to the police station to help them.
“In the new Malaysia, the right to peaceful protest should be safeguarded even if it’s against the ruling-gov (government) interest,” he tweeted.
Sabah Bersih chairman Beverly Joeman said the peaceful assembly was aimed at raising awareness and to urge the government to look into and solve 10 issues affecting Sabah.
These include education, poverty, native land, citizenship, housing, security, environment and job opportunities, she said.- ANN
Anwar apologises for delaying several Pakatan Harapan manifesto pledges
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has apologised for postponing several pledges of Pakatan Harapan manifesto until the country has regained its financial health.
He said when the manifesto was made, PH did not expect the country’s debt will surpass RM1 trillion.
“When seen in today’s context, the statement is different, as such…I apologise as some manifesto pledges can be carried out while some have to be delayed,” he said at a question and answer programme “Meet Anwar” organised by Anwar Ibrahim Club here on Sunday (Sept 16).
Among others, he said the debt contributed by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case ran into tens of billions compared to RM3bil that was initially expected.
“We thought it was under RM3bil, we were not aware of the purchase of ship, paintings and money given to Leonardo DiCaprio. This is a big problem, so Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said to give him more time.
Meanwhile, Anwar reiterated that he would give 100% support to the administration of the government under Dr Mahathir and called on the people to give the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman a chance to rule the country.
“Now, Tun Dr Mahathir has just become prime minister for four months, please give him a chance to serve well, we will support him. We need to give him our full support, I want the PH government to be strong, respected and capable of carrying reforms.
Now its Tun Dr Mahathir’s turn, we fully support that and I am giving him my 100% support,” he said.
He was replying to a question from the audience who wanted to know his vision as the country’s eighth prime minister.
On the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012, Anwar said PH promised to repeal the draconian law.
“I have suffered (while in prison) to understand and realise myself the sufferings of others. When I was being punished, I saw Sosma and did not agree with the existing law.
“Secondly, I do not agree with the prosecution and severe punishments over minor offences which were not commensurating,” he said.
Anwar said he had personally forgiven former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the matter between the two of them but on matters pertaining to the country’s finance and the people’s interest, it is subject to the existing processes.
“Personally I have forgiven him even though he threw me in jail…in the first two weeks, I slept on the cement floor. But the question on the country’s finance is a question for the people and I am not in a position to forgive, as they have to follow the due processes.
“If proven guilty, it is his fate, whatever you take from the public, you have to be accountable,” he said. — Bernama
Set up protest SOP immediately, Maria Chin tells govt
PETALING Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has urged the government to immediately set up standard operating procedures (SOP) on how to handle protesters.
This should include avoiding the use of force if the number of protestors are small, she said in response to the arrest and alleged manhandling of eight activists in Kota Kinabalu, today.
She said the incident was a shameful one that had marred Malaysia Day.
“A proper SOP needs to be set up immediately to ensure that such repressive behaviour, attitudes and actions be corrected.
“We must also ensure that the authorities understand clearly that it is wrong to deny protesters their right to peaceful protests,” she said in a statement.
She also urged the police and the Home Ministry to apologise to the activists and drop all charges against them as they have not done anything wrong.
The eight activists were taking part in a “Pandang Ke Sabah” rally today morning. They were roughed up and arrested after they refused to disperse as ordered.
They were demanding rights for Sabahans in conjunction with Malaysia Day today, such as better education and job opportunities.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman have so far spoken out against the arrests, saying the activists should have been allowed to exercise their freedom to peaceful protest.
Maria said the conduct of Sabah police and Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman in attempting to deny their activists’ freedom to protest was a “disgrace”.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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