‘Rally failed to comply with rules’

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The anticipated Save Malaysia rally concluded without any untoward incident.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said although the rally failed to comply with provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act, the police took every necessary step to ensure that it ran smoothly.

“The rally began at around 1.15pm at Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru and ended near Sogo Kuala Lumpur at around 3.30pm.

“Based on our initial investigations, 16 individuals gave speeches during the rally.

“A police report was also lodged by the organisers at the Dang Wangi police headquarters during the rally,” he told a press conference yesterday.

He said the police, being enforcers of the law, merely followed the laws stipulated under the Peaceful Assembly Act.

“Section 9 of the Act states that a notice must be given by the organisers to the police, and a form can be found in the Fourth Schedule under Section 10 of the same Act.

Peaceful protest: Participants of the Save Malaysia rally gathering in front of Sogo Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

“In the form, an organiser must be named. They must receive approval from the premise owner and a written approval must also be attached with the form,” he said, adding that the police shoulder a big responsibility and must also get the views of property owners in the area prior to the event being held.

He said the organisers know that the notice must be given based on the form and not merely via a letter.

“As the rally did not comply with the Act, we will look at what necessary action would be needed.“On the report lodged by the organisers today, give us some time to peruse it before we decide how to move forward,” he said.

He added that police estimated that at least 800 people attended the rally.

When asked, Comm Allaudeen said they have identified all persons of interest in connection with the rally.

“We have received 22 police reports against the rally so far. Our checks revealed that traffic remained under control,” he said. - Star