Toe the line on rallies: Khalid
> IGP says gatherings will not be barred, so long as organisers adhere to laws
KUALA LUMPUR: The police will not prohibit any gathering for the rakyat to express views as long as organisers adhere to provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
On overnight rallies planned by NGO Bersih 2.0 from Aug 29 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar ( pix) advised individuals and groups to follow the law when organising such gatherings.
“However, the police will not tolerate individuals encouraging people to take to the streets to demand the prime minister’s resignation,” Khalid told a press conference after the “Sovereignty Medal Award Ceremony” at the Royal Malaysian Police College here yesterday.
On Wednesday, Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah urged Malaysians to join the rallies to demand for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to step down.
Commenting on the fire that broke out at Bukit Aman on Wednesday, Khalid said the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department is already investigating the incident.
“Only the corridor of level 10 was affected and mostly old newspapers, which were about to be disposed, were destroyed.
“I do not understand why some irresponsible people have to relate this incident with other developments which can lead to a misunderstanding,” he added.
Khalid declined to comment on a video of former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin purportedly recounting a conversation he had with Najib over the 1MDB issue.
“We have a special task force that will investigate and handle this issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, NGO #KitaLawan has urged Khalid to focus more on resolving the 1MDB issue rather than threatening those who urge Najib to step down. Its secretariat, Faris Musa, said the police should go all out to charge those involved in the case.
“The 1MDB controversy affects the nation’s economy, and involves corruption and many other things,” said Faris, who is also the coordinator for NGO Jingga 13.
On another matter, Anak Muda Gerakan Harapan Baru has pledged support to a group of youths calling themselves “Demi Malaysia” who will gather tomorrow to urge Najib to resign.
Its coordinator, Sany Hamzan, urged all its members to assemble in front of the Sogo Shopping Complex at 2pm and to be attired in white to show solidarity for the group.
Earlier, social activist Adam Adli Abd Halim, who is the group’s spokesman, said Khalid’s warning on the assembly is seen as a tactic to stop any show of dissent against Najib. Adam added that there is a need to push for Najib’s resignation to save the country and free the people from continued economic, political and social turmoil.