Cops (writ valid until May 3) to summon organisers
Published on: Saturday, May 02, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Organisers of the Himpunan May Day rally which took place at the Padang Merdeka here on Friday will be summoned to have their statements taken although the rally was held peacefully outside the restricted area.City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra who was at the town padang to monitor the situation said an estimated 250 people took part in the rally which lasted for about 40 minutes from 3.20pm to 4pm.However, although reports stated that the 7-day court order that barred any activity in specified areas had lapsed on April 27, police claim it was valid until May 3.
ADVERTISEMENT
"They gathered peacefully and did not go against the court order which was issued on April 27 and is still in effect for seven days until May 3."However, we find that offences under the Peaceful Assembly Act still happened even though they gathered outside the restricted areas peacefully," Chandra said. He said investigations would be carried out under Section 9 (1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act and punishable under Section 9 (5) of the same Act, for gathering without giving notice to the police."We will call the organisers involved to have their statements taken after which we will refer the investigations to the Deputy Public Prosecutor," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asked about politicians taking part in the rally, Chandra said they did see politicians and would investigate.Rally participants were earlier seen gathered in three locations in the city before walking to the town padang.
ADVERTISEMENT
Personnel and officers from the police force, including police air force and City Hall collaborated to enforce the disputed court order which banned five locations, namely the town padang, Taman Chong Thien Vun, City Park, Segama Waterfront and Dataran Bandaraya as well as all their surroundings from any rally gathering. Meanwhile, Himpunan May Day Chief Coordinator Andrew Ambrose thanked police for allowing that particularly moment. "I think this is encouraging, this is something that everyone needs to see that the police do give space if there is positive engagements on matters like this."It should be encouraged for all levels and all issues, regardless if it is women's rights, human rights, migrant rights or native people rights because this is a positive way that the police has conducted themselves today," he said, adding that based on his observations a total of between 400 and 500 people turned up. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
