Jerit ready to explain all to S'gor sultan

Grasssroots coalition Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) is willing to meet with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor to clarify the objectives of their 'Ride for change' campaign which ended last week.

Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar last week claimed that the sultan had expressed concern over the involvement of under-aged cyclists in the programme.

The police chief told reporters on Saturday that Sultan Sharafuddin had urged the police "to take stern action against those who exploited children into taking part in certain activities".

"The police chief is trying to twist facts, and this time it looks like he is giving the sultan wrong information," said Jerit co-ordinator Y Kohila when contacted yesterday.

Khalid had justified the detention of the children by saying that it was for their own safety and that the police had saved the under-aged riders from being exploited. He had also stressed that parental consent was immaterial.

Kohila added that the coalition would be writing to the sultan to clarify some details and the movement was also willing to meet with the sultan.

Police chief 'unable to accept truth'

"In our opinion, the police chief is unable to accept the truth and he is in denial about the facts.

"The parents and teenagers who had participated in the campaign had given their full support and their consent," Kohila said.

Throughout the campaign, 111 participants had faced arrests, including 27 under-aged participants who were held in the Rawang police station for one night.

Kohila reiterated that Khalid, should be proud of the teenagers as they had gone on the 16-day expedition for a better life for all Malaysians.

"Instead of wasting time, they used their school holidays meaningfully. They did not get involved in unhealthy activities. Therefore they should be commended and appreciated," said Kohila.

She added that the Bar Council had also condemned the police for acting against the cyclists throughout the campaign.

"Nevertheless, Jerit will continue the struggle for the betterment of all Malaysians no matter the problems we have to face. We will always be with the people and champion their rights," said Kohila.

No link with Hindraf

In a separate statement, Jerit also denied claims made by the police top brass that is has links with the banned Hindu Rights Action Force.

"Our activists have been involved with Jerit since 2002 and the police are aware of this," said that organisation.

It also lambasted the police intelligence for finding the non-existent link between Jerit and Hindraf.

Jerits added that it was a dirty tactic employed by the police to link Jerit with the outlawed organisation, which was also accused of having terrorism links. Hindraf has strenuously denied this accusation.

"Jerit has no links with Hindraf," said the grassroots movement, however acknowledging that various movements had supported Jerit in the past.