Red Shirts submit notice to hold demo on Nov 5

KUALA LUMPUR: The group behind the “Red Shirts” has put in a notice to the police to hold their demonstration at Dataran Merdeka on Nov 5, a fortnight before the Bersih 5 rally. The Bersih rally is scheduled for Nov 19. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the organisers had notified police on Tuesday of the planned gathering, adding that this was confirmed by City Police Chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh.

The organisers, said Khalid, would be called in by the police to discuss their intention of holding the demonstration and determine whether this was within the law.

“There’s a process they must follow. They need to get permission from the owner of the venue and obey the law. But at least, the Red Shirts have given notice.

“The ‘ other’ group, however, doesn’t give us notice. Ask them whether they notify us before each gathering.

“They hold their gatherings anytime they feel like it. We say the same thing every day yet they don’t listen.

“I’m sick of saying the same things every day. If you want to organise a gathering, go ahead but make sure it is within the provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters yesterday.

Khalid also rubbished allegations of police inaction in the face of disturbances during various gatherings held by Bersih supporters and the Red Shirts.

“People like to accuse us of not taking action. I think if police don’t do anything, the situation would have gotten out of control.

“This is why we need to be notified about the time and location of any planned demonstration. At least, we can prepare manpower for the event. If they suddenly appear in Chow Kit, how can we prepare our officers?

“Then they blame us, saying that police did nothing to protect them. Both sides always do that,” he told reporters after attending the graduation ceremony of officers enrolled in the Service Excellence Delivery In Action (SEDIA) course, provided by Scicom College of Global Service Management.

The course is part of several initiatives by the police to place themselves on the same standards as other forces around the world.

Also present were Scicom (MSC) Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Leo Ariyanayakam, Bukit Aman management department director Comm Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah and Comm Amar.