S4S rally goes on as anti-riot police look on
SERIAN: Sarawak for Sarawakians ( S4S) proceeded to hold their rally at Taman Komuniti Serian yesterday amid heavy police presence.
Numbering slightly more than 200 people, the group started to assemble at the place around 8am for the rally to commemorate Sarawak’s independence before they were told to disperse three hours later.
Anti- riot police personnel formed human barricade at Taman Komuniti Serian to separate the S4S group from the 722 mini concert and community games also held concurrently at the same venue organised by the Resident’s Office.
Serian police chief DSP Chung Aik Peng said the S4S group was asked to leave the venue to make way for the events organised by Serian Resident’s Office in conjunction with Sarawak Day, which were held with permit.
Chung also denied allegations that the police arrested three people as alleged by S4S.
To another question, he said the road block at Mile 35 Kuching- Serian Road was a routine one and not to stop people from coming to Serian as alleged by the S4S group.
Meanwhile, S4S spokesperson Karen Shepard said she did not agree with the heavy police presence, and she was also appalled by the line of policemen standing at the venue.
She said that based on feedback, many people in Serian wanted to celebrate Sarawak Day and were looking forward to the event organised by S4S.
“We’re not trouble-makers. We’re here to celebrate Sarawak Day. If the council is organising something, we are joining in despite their best attempts to prevent anything from happening. We came along to celebrate,” she said.
She said the authorities seemed to be organising activities for Sarawak Day only in the last minute after they knew of S4S’ intention to hold its activities there.
She added the authorities did not like S4S since the beginning, by withdrawing S4S’ application to use the Serian mini stadium and then denying them from using the Taman Komuniti Serian.
“As you can see, we have a good well-natured crowd today (yesterday).
“Therefore, the accusations that we are spreading disharmony, I think they are proven wrong. Sarawak 4 Sarawakians has never caused any trouble before, and is not causing any trouble today,” she said, adding that they received words that village folk were told by their community leaders not to attend the event.
Shepard, S4S leader Peter John Jaban and the former organising chairman of the rally in the Serian mini stadium, Alim Mideh, also claimed that the police had asked the participants not to fly the Sarawak flag.
They did not specify which flag, but alluded to the old flag used before the formation of Malaysia.
“Apparently the police decided that on Sarawak Day, it is inappropriate the fly the Sarawak flag and they have been asking people to take them down. It seems the Sarawak flag is not allowed on Sarawak Day. Would the police do the same on Jalur Gemilang during Malaysia Day,” asked Shepard.
Peter said the event proved that the event was well supported by people of Serian and not brought to this town by outsiders as claimed by community leaders who on Monday protested the S4S activities.
“It’s very unfair for community leaders to say that. I hope next time, we will have more events in Serian,” he said.
Alim, on the other hand, said the size of crowd would have been bigger if not for intimidation by the authorities.