[asia-apec 760] PRM rally stopped by police

[PANAP at GEO2.poptel.org.uk]

RALLY STOPPED BY POLICE

Police officer OCPD Zaini, backed by about a dozen members of the Federal
Reserve Unit armed with batons and shields, plus about another dozen
uniformed police personnel and an unknown number of ununiformed Special
Branch (SB) officers descended on a rally that was organised  by
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) Johore, on Monday night, 28 September
1998, at Kampung Melayu Majidee, Johor Bahru. The speakers lined up
to address the the rally were Dr Syed Husin Ali (President), lawyer
Adul Razak Ahmad (Deputy President) and Hassan Abdul Karim (PRM
Youth leader). 

The Secretary of PRM Johore submitted to the police an application for
permit to hold this rally two weeks ago on 14 September, but after being
called and questioned by the police a number of times he was informed on
Saturday 26 September, only two days before the rally, that no permit would
 be issued. By that time wide publicity had already been given to the
public  about the rally, and it was difficult  at such a short notice to
inform them about the police decision.

Considering that the police decision was unfair and the law on which they
acted was unjust, PRM decided to carry on with the rally. Starting about
8.00 p.m., police blocked roads leading to the place where the rally was
to be held, and I was informed that a water canon vehicle was also standing
by. Nevertheless,  over 1,000 people  managed to gather there. 

Hassan, as chairman, began the rally  at about 9.15 p.m. with some
introductory remarks and then invited Razak to speak.   Razak had hardly
spoken for five minutes  when OCPD Zaini, accompanied by a number of police
personnel, asked him to stop in three minutes time, stating that the rally
was not legal. At that time Razak invited Syed Husin  to speak. When the
three minutes was up, OCPD Zaini asked everything to stop and threatened
action.  The FRU personnel came, apparently asking the crowd to disperse.
In order to protect the safety of the public, we decided to call it a day.

In a media conference held immediately afterwards, Abdul Razak Ahmad
condemned the high-handed action of the police. He said the rally was
peaceful and did not at all threaten any disorder. He urged the government
and the police to allow for the airing of views on all important issues
affecting the country and the people. He said that PRM would continue to
inform the public and hold discourses with the people through such rallies
and also other legal and appropriate means.




Secretariat
PRM 

29 September 1998