Police: N-Day eve rally organisers didn’t give enough notice
Maria Chin (right) speaks to reporters after a police briefing at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur, August 27, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — The police have withheld permission for the “Himpunan Janji Bersih” rally to be held on August 30 due to inadequte notice.
Dang Wangi chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad said police today briefed representatives of the organiser for one hour on conditions for holding a rally under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011.
“They (organiser) told police the rally will be peaceful and agreed to abide by conditions under the Peaceful Assembly Act. There will be no speeches and banners.”
Zainuddin said police did not give permission to the organiser they did not provide authorities with ten days’ notice as required under Section 9 (1) of Peaceful Assembly Act.
“No permission will be given as the organiser has committed an offence by not giving us sufficient notice.”
He told reporters said police agreed to control traffic to reduce congestion and advised the organiser to control the behaviour of rally participants.
“Police will arrest them (participants) if they violate the Act,” he added.
Organiser Maria Chin Abdullah said the rally will be held at Jalan Sultan and Dataran Merdeka from 10pm and would disperse after midnight.
“We have agreed with police that there will be no banners, stickers or speeches. Only Pak Samad (A.Samad Said) will recite poetry. We promise the rally will be peaceful,” she added. — Bernama
