More organisations and individuals have lodged police reports against the planned '901 Free Anwar Campaign' in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Three office-bearers from two non-governmental organisations and two political leaders filed their reports at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur today.

They were Ikatan Rakyat Malaysia (IRIMM) president Amir Amsaa Alla Pitchay, Penang IRIMM chairman Zainol Abidin Ahmad, Dewan Ekonomi dan Sosial Malaysia president Mohd Fazil Abdullah, MIC Wangsa Maju division chief S Mohan Pillay and Federal Territory Wanita Umno chief Azizah Abdul Samad.

Speaking to reporters, Amir Amsaa said the organisers were trying to get the attention of foreign media to paint a bad picture of the country to the world.

"If the protest takes place, it will adversely affect our economy. We urge the police to take action against the organisers and ensure that the protest does not take place," he said.

So far, 336 police reports had been lodged against the campaign in relation to the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial, scheduled for Monday.

Puteri Umno chief Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin has described the campaign as a provocation against the judiciary and the police.

"The campaign has nothing to do with the so-called struggle for justice or human rights," she said in a statement.

In Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan urged the people to think rationally and not to fall prey to the trickery and agenda behind the 'Free Anwar Campaign' as it was borne out of a personal interest.

"Why should we demonstrate? We asked the government to enforce the law, instead we want to break the law by organising a demonstration.

"We must respect the law because what is the use of having the law when we violate it to suit our whim and fancy.

"If we are not happy with the decision of the court, we can always file an appeal," he told reporters after chairing the state football association annual congress today.

In Putrajaya, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the planned demonstration was unwarranted as it would lead to chaos just because of an individual.

"We do not want the country to be turned into an arena to champion individuals with vested interest by taking issues to the streets in total disregard to the law," she told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia People's Welfare programme for the disabled here today.

Shahrizat, who is also Umno Wanita chief, said that apart from violating the law, the illegal assembly would also threaten public safety.

She challenged former Bar Council president S Ambiga, as a lawyer, to state her stand on the planned protest, especially its theme, "Rakyat Hakim Negara" (people are the nation's judges).

In Pahang, several NGOs lodged police reports against the planned protest at the Lanchang police station while the Temerloh MIC Youth division and the Temerloh Puteri Umno division filed theirs at the Temerloh police station.

Representing the NGOs, Razmi Sudin described the campaign as an alleged tactic by Anwar to incite his supporters to create havoc if the court's verdict is against him.

"This shows that he is not a responsible leader and willing to do anything for his personal interest," added Razmi.

Temerloh Puteri Umno division chief Nurashikin Sulaiman said the campaign was aimed at creating unrest and chaos.

"Anwar's hardcore supporters must accept the court's verdict either in his favour or not," she added.

 
- Bernama

 




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