Police 'no' to Bersih rally
Published on: Monday, August 24, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police have warned of action against the organisers and participants of the planned Bersih 4.0 rally at the Likas Bay Park in Tanjung Lipat, here, on Aug 29-30. State Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the gathering was considered illegal because it did not fulfil the requirements under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2013. He said the organisers sent a notice informing police of the gathering on Aug 19. ADVERTISEMENT "However, the notice could not be processed because it did not fulfil the requirement of having prior approval from City Hall. "The organisers have been informed on Aug 20 that there must be prior approval from City Hall and that the letter of approval should be attached together with the notice, as stated under Section 10 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012," he said. He said they would not hesitate to take action against the organisers and participants to ensure peace and order. "We are prepared to face or address the rally should it continue to be staged in the city," he said, adding that police will dominate the site as well as other identified locations to make sure they are clear from any rally.ADVERTISEMENT On that note, Jalaluddin advised people not to take part in any rally that is against the law to prevent any untoward incidents. Bersih Sabah Chairperson Jannie Lasimbang had reportedly assured on Saturday that Bersih Sabah will be a peaceful assembly of ordinary people to voice out their demands for clean elections and a clean government as well as to strengthen parliamentary democracy, right to dissent and save the dwindling economy.
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She called on Sabahans to exercise their rights to assemble peacefully and come out in support of the Democracy Fest Bersih 4 Kota Kinabalu. A range of activities, including interactive sessions on culture, arts and education with civil society organisations, speeches, forums and the Democracy Walk, have been planned for the rally.