Cops to record statements from organisers over kids at anti-ICERD rally

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun says it is against the law to allow children to participate in rallies.

KUALA LUMPUR: Top cop Mohamad Fuzi Harun says the police will question the organisers of Saturday’s rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) this evening over the presence of children at the gathering.

The inspector-general of police said the three organisers would have their statements recorded on how they had allowed children to participate in the rally, which is against the Peaceful Assembly Act.

He said their statements would be recorded at 3pm but did not reveal their identities.

“They promised us the other day that the rules would be adhered to, including not allowing children to take part in the rally as this is against the law,” he told reporters after officiating a police patrol programme at Central Market here.

It was reported yesterday that the police would call up the rally organiser after a report was lodged saying children had been seen among the participants.

Those found guilty of the offence can be fined up to RM20,000 under Section 4 (2)(f) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

The rally, which saw over 50,000 participants, was held to show gratitude for the government’s decision not to ratify the ICERD.

Fuzi also said police were considering reducing their presence at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ 25 where a riot recently broke out following a dispute over its relocation.

He said he would meet the Selangor police for an update on the situation, especially in terms of security in the area.

“If there are no threats to security, we might scale down the number of personnel at the scene. It is a waste of manpower, and there are also costs if it drags on.

“We will review the situation and make a decision this evening,” he said, adding that although the situation was back to normal, they could not take things for granted.

The violence which erupted on Nov 26 was believed to have started after a group intruded into the temple, injuring several people in the process.

The temple was also damaged and a number of vehicles torched.

The next day, a protest to oppose the temple’s relocation turned unruly as the crowd set fire to several vehicles. The office of the developer was also vandalised.

A total of 102 individuals have been arrested over the incident so far. -FMT