The police introduction of media tags for media practitioners who will be on duty during the opposition rally planned for Saturday is a proactive measure to ensure their safety.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said with the media tags, the police could differentiate media practitioners from rally participants, unlike the Bersih rally.

journalist online petition against police violence 300412"Our top priority is public safety and decisions made by interested parties are based on security and public order," he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr Chalerm Yoobamrung in Putrajaya today.

However, safety is not solely the responsibility of the police as rally organisers and participants are also responsible for their own safety.

Hishammuddin said police believed they could ensure safety and security provided all parties, including the organisers, are realistic with their demands.

"During the last rally (Bersih), it was not the police who took to the streets. Guarantees were given that it was going to be a peaceful assembly but that did not happen."

Organisers must not inconvenience public

Asked about the escape of nine detainees in Penang on Monday, he said police will have to take measures to avoid a repeat of the incident.

"I believe they know what has to be done and will make the necessary improvement," he added.

In Kuala Lumpur, police, in a statement on its Facebook page, advised the rally organisers to comply with Section 6 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) and other laws.

The organisers must also ensure that the rally does not endanger public’s health or cause damage to property and the environment and they must pay for cleaning up the affected areas.

The police also reminded the organisers not to make seditious statements to the people and disturb the peace.

"The organisers must ensure that the rally will not cause inconvenience to the general public," the statement said.

- Bernama

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