Two provisos for Keadilan gathering
Susan LoonePublished: Jan 17, 2001 9:49 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Barisan Alternatif supporters have been told to adhere to two conditions laid down by the police if they want the second "100,000 People's Gathering" in Banting, Selangor, to proceed peacefully this Saturday.
The conditions are that half a kilometre of the road to the venue must be cordoned off (by the police) from traffic and that the event, to start at 2.30pm, must end by 7pm.
Organising chairman Saari Sungib said, "The conditions are acceptable to us and as long as we (BA supporters) can meet for two or three hours, we are grateful."
He told a press conference at the Legal Aid Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning that he had spoken to the OCPD of the Banting district police yesterday.
"We have met personally with the police and were given a very positive response. We were told to ensure that there is proper traffic control," said Saari.
Police officials, however, refused to comment on the matter when contacted.
Keadilan will host the gathering on a supporter's property at Telok Panglima Garang, 4km off Jalan Klang-Banting, Kuala Langat.
The first "100,000 People's Gathering" that was to have been held on Jalan Kg Kebun, Shah Alam, on Nov 5 last year, was aborted when police blocked all entry points to the venue from the Kesas Highway.
For the second gathering, Keadilan had applied for a police permit on Dec 26.
Its invitation to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to send observers for the gathering was rejected on the grounds that it is a Hari Raya "open house" and has nothing to do with human rights.
However, Suhakam is reconsidering its decision following feedback from several human rights groups. It was sent a second invitation today ([#]Keadilan sends another invite to Suhakam[/#], Jan 17).
Fund for detainees
Saari said that there will be no political speeches during the function although BA leaders will be giving Hari Raya, Christmas, Ponggal and Chinese New Year speeches.
He added that a Deklarasi Perpaduan Rakyat (People's Unity Declaration) to promote national unity will be read out by reformist groups, BA leaders and writers.
A revolving fund to assist political detainees financially, especially for bail money, will also be launched that day, said Saari.
Asked whether having a political agenda may complicate matters when applying for a police permit, Saari said it would be difficult to separate politics from the function as those present will be BA supporters anyway.
"The function is organised by the rakyat who are political and social activists, the gathering is supported by political leaders, so how can we separate ourselves from politics?" he said.
PRM vice-president Rustam A Sani who was also present at the press conference said, "We can't run away from politics as the gathering will be for like-minded individuals who are politically conscious."
The programme will also feature kompang, gong and silat presentations. There will also be a lion dance and Indian musical show to promote the spirit of multiracialism and unity in the country, said Saari.
The conditions are that half a kilometre of the road to the venue must be cordoned off (by the police) from traffic and that the event, to start at 2.30pm, must end by 7pm.
Organising chairman Saari Sungib said, "The conditions are acceptable to us and as long as we (BA supporters) can meet for two or three hours, we are grateful."
He told a press conference at the Legal Aid Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning that he had spoken to the OCPD of the Banting district police yesterday.
"We have met personally with the police and were given a very positive response. We were told to ensure that there is proper traffic control," said Saari.
Police officials, however, refused to comment on the matter when contacted.
Keadilan will host the gathering on a supporter's property at Telok Panglima Garang, 4km off Jalan Klang-Banting, Kuala Langat.
The first "100,000 People's Gathering" that was to have been held on Jalan Kg Kebun, Shah Alam, on Nov 5 last year, was aborted when police blocked all entry points to the venue from the Kesas Highway.
For the second gathering, Keadilan had applied for a police permit on Dec 26.
Its invitation to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to send observers for the gathering was rejected on the grounds that it is a Hari Raya "open house" and has nothing to do with human rights.
However, Suhakam is reconsidering its decision following feedback from several human rights groups. It was sent a second invitation today ([#]Keadilan sends another invite to Suhakam[/#], Jan 17).
Fund for detainees
Saari said that there will be no political speeches during the function although BA leaders will be giving Hari Raya, Christmas, Ponggal and Chinese New Year speeches.
He added that a Deklarasi Perpaduan Rakyat (People's Unity Declaration) to promote national unity will be read out by reformist groups, BA leaders and writers.
A revolving fund to assist political detainees financially, especially for bail money, will also be launched that day, said Saari.
Asked whether having a political agenda may complicate matters when applying for a police permit, Saari said it would be difficult to separate politics from the function as those present will be BA supporters anyway.
"The function is organised by the rakyat who are political and social activists, the gathering is supported by political leaders, so how can we separate ourselves from politics?" he said.
PRM vice-president Rustam A Sani who was also present at the press conference said, "We can't run away from politics as the gathering will be for like-minded individuals who are politically conscious."
The programme will also feature kompang, gong and silat presentations. There will also be a lion dance and Indian musical show to promote the spirit of multiracialism and unity in the country, said Saari.
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