PSM 'not mastermind' of Jerit campaign
Syed Jaymal ZahiidPublished: Dec 17, 2008 9:10 AM | Updated: Dec 17, 2008 11:39 AM
Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar has dismissed claims that his Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is the brains behind the Jerit ‘Ride for Change’ cycling campaign.
Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar has dismissed claims that his Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is the brains behind the Jerit ‘Ride for Change’ cycling campaign.
At a press conference in the Parliament lobby today, Jeyakumar said Jerit - the Oppressed People’s Network - had planned the 16-day campaign and that PSM has only supported the activity.
“They (Jerit) are an independent group and ares capable of making decision for themselves. It would be insulting to say that Jerit is influenced by external forces,” he said, noting that this could be an attempt to divert public attention from issues raised during the campaign.
He was responding to claims in media reports that PSM has masterminded the campaign with malicious intent.
Jeyakumar said the cyclists will make their way to Parliament House tomorrow, to hand over their memorandum to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
He said he has informed the parliamentary administration officer about this and was told that the cyclists would be allowed to meet with Anwar at a hall just outside the Parliament building.
“We have agreed to be here at 11.30am. The security guards will lead them straight to the hall where Anwar and some BN MPs have been invited to meet with them,” he said, expressing his hope that the police will not stop them again.
Some 100 cyclists have been stopped nine times over their journey since Dec 3, with the most recent incidents on Monday as they entered Selangor on the last leg of their journey.
The team from the south was stopped in Bangi but was allowed to continue after being ‘held' at an estate for more than five hours. However, the northern team encountered trouble in Rawang where they were detained overnight.
Police are currently investigating 30 participants, including several Jerit activists, Jeyakumar and PKR’s Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nie.
They are alleged to have violated the Child Act by 'manipulating' children to take part in the campaign, as well as provisions of the Police Act.
‘Parental consent obtained’
However, Jeyakumar denied this, saying the Selangor police chief had distorted the truth.
“We have letters from the parents, approving their participation in the campaign. To me, this is a good experience for the children.
“When you see them (the children), you (have to) question the need for the police to mobilise some 400 personnel including (members of the) riot squad. Something is really wrong with the perceptions of the police.”
Jerit had told parents that it would understand if they wanted to pull their children out of the campaign, following the detentions.
“However, all the parents told us that we should go ahead. They said the children want to cycle and that they are happy with us and trust us, and want us to carry on with the campaign,” said Jeyakumar.
He also said the group has only been raising issues of public interest, such as the need for a minimum wage and abolition of the Internal Security Act.
“They don’t understand why the authorities have treated them as if they are a threat to national security,” he added.
“(Our campaign) is a new lesson for the police. The safety of the public and the safety of BN are two separate things. When we (talk about) these issues, we’re not mad at BN. I don’t know why the police are getting so excited over this.”
At a press conference in the Parliament lobby today, Jeyakumar said Jerit - the Oppressed People’s Network - had planned the 16-day campaign and that PSM has only supported the activity.“They (Jerit) are an independent group and ares capable of making decision for themselves. It would be insulting to say that Jerit is influenced by external forces,” he said, noting that this could be an attempt to divert public attention from issues raised during the campaign.
He was responding to claims in media reports that PSM has masterminded the campaign with malicious intent.
Jeyakumar said the cyclists will make their way to Parliament House tomorrow, to hand over their memorandum to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
He said he has informed the parliamentary administration officer about this and was told that the cyclists would be allowed to meet with Anwar at a hall just outside the Parliament building.
“We have agreed to be here at 11.30am. The security guards will lead them straight to the hall where Anwar and some BN MPs have been invited to meet with them,” he said, expressing his hope that the police will not stop them again.
Some 100 cyclists have been stopped nine times over their journey since Dec 3, with the most recent incidents on Monday as they entered Selangor on the last leg of their journey.The team from the south was stopped in Bangi but was allowed to continue after being ‘held' at an estate for more than five hours. However, the northern team encountered trouble in Rawang where they were detained overnight.
Police are currently investigating 30 participants, including several Jerit activists, Jeyakumar and PKR’s Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nie.
They are alleged to have violated the Child Act by 'manipulating' children to take part in the campaign, as well as provisions of the Police Act.
‘Parental consent obtained’
However, Jeyakumar denied this, saying the Selangor police chief had distorted the truth.
“We have letters from the parents, approving their participation in the campaign. To me, this is a good experience for the children.
“When you see them (the children), you (have to) question the need for the police to mobilise some 400 personnel including (members of the) riot squad. Something is really wrong with the perceptions of the police.”
Jerit had told parents that it would understand if they wanted to pull their children out of the campaign, following the detentions.“However, all the parents told us that we should go ahead. They said the children want to cycle and that they are happy with us and trust us, and want us to carry on with the campaign,” said Jeyakumar.
He also said the group has only been raising issues of public interest, such as the need for a minimum wage and abolition of the Internal Security Act.
“They don’t understand why the authorities have treated them as if they are a threat to national security,” he added.
“(Our campaign) is a new lesson for the police. The safety of the public and the safety of BN are two separate things. When we (talk about) these issues, we’re not mad at BN. I don’t know why the police are getting so excited over this.”
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