KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 – Police have taken several measures to ensure traffic and public order are not affected by red-shirt rally planned for Wednesday. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the measures include roadblocks in some areas, especially Bukit Bintang.
“The police are already taking action. I think they need to set up roadblocks at several locations in Bukit Bintang. The rally is justified under the Peaceful Assembly Act but under the same law only allowed on-site assembly enacted only,” he told reporters after officiating the International Conference Global IMB’s Piracy, Armed Robbery and Maritime Security here Monday.
He said there is no well-established under the law. Therefore, he said organiser must obtain permission from the owner (location of rally). He said he do not think it is an issue at this time when he was asked whether the ministry banned the red shirt before the assembly.
Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu or the Red Shirt rally was organized in response to the Bersih 4 held around the capital on 29 and 30 August. Rally organizers reportedly said that the participants will gather at Bukit Bintang before marching Padang Merbok, and the areas were placed under the administration of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in a separate press conference, said DBKL allow the gathering in of the venue. He said the organizers had made an application to the City Hall to hold a rally at the site and their application fulfilled the conditions imposed under the Peaceful Assembly Act.
Khalid said the police will deploy sufficient personnel to regulate the assembly to ensure the safety of participants and the general public. He added that the organiser will be held responsible for any provocation or undesirable incident. The police will monitor and watch out for speeches of a seditious nature.
