Cops quiz trio over Raub rally
The police have recorded statements from three individuals in connection with Himpunan Hijau Raub which took place on Sunday.
The police have recorded statements from three individuals in connection with Himpunan Hijau Raub which took place on Sunday.
The trio are organising committee chairperson Wong Kim Hoong, his vice-chairperson Tengku Shahadan Tengku Jaafar and M Raju, the aide to Tras state assemblyperson Chong Siew Onn.
They were present at the Raub police station at around 12.30pm and only left three hours later.
According to M Raju, the police's investigation was focussed on the attendance of several children below 15-years-old at the rally and the march.
"The police said we have violated two conditions of the gathering as we are not allowed to bring kids below 15-years-old and also because we march ed from the rally venue.
"I told them that we didn't want to march because the police has promised that representatives from gold mine company will be there to receive our memorandum. But, it did not happen and so we march," he said.
About 10,000 people attempt to march from the Raub sports complex towards the Raub Australia Gold Mining (RAGM) Sdn Bhd mine in Bukit Koman.
They were stopped by the police about 500m away from the field, which two RAGM representatives in tow.
Two others sought
Rally organisers however said they were not satisfied because the two representatives were low-ranking officers, but nevertheless ordered the crowd to disperse.
Raju said the police did not reveal what law is being applied on the trio but did indicate that they will submit initial findings to the attorney-general's chambers before taking further action.
Two others - Bukit Koman Anti-Cyanide Committee members Sherly Hue and Chong Pui Har - are sought by the police.
They will have their statements recorded on Saturday because they are currently out of town.
Since 2007, the committee has been campaigning against RABM for using cyanide in gold mining activities near to Kampung Baru Bukit Koman.
Villagers claim that the fumes from the gold mine has caused villagers various ailments.
After trying various means including legal action, locals organised the rally which drew environmentalists from all over the country to the sleepy town of Raub.
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