Home Minister says holding rally on Sept 16 is disrespectful

Street protest veteran-turned-home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says holding a rally on Malaysia Day is disrespectful.

He said Perikatan Nasional could have chosen any other day to stage their event.

“It’s best not to have chosen Sept 16, that date is very important, it’s Malaysia Day, a very significant celebration whose spirit is about respect and compliance with the law among others.

“It is clearly disrespectful to tolerance, unity, and love among various races and religions, especially to our friends in Sabah and Sarawak to whom this day is very important.

“But PN activists have chosen this day for whatever reason,” he told reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

PN’s rally is in protest of prosecutors withdrawing corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

However, they now claim that the event also aims to celebrate Malaysia Day.

During the press conference, Saifuddin said that he himself learned through street protests and was a product of it.

However, he said as the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) is still in force, it must be complied with.

“Police have responded, what are the dos and the don'ts. We go by the law,” he said.

Police have advised the public to steer clear of rallies while claiming that PN has not submitted a notice for their event.

Under the PAA, rally organisers must give police five days’ notice.

PN, however, said they have been engaging police since Monday. - Mkini