Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Wear black fashion, police will catch you - Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Political party supporters were today reminded not to create tension by dressing in black and illegally gather in protest of the Perak state assembly sitting tomorrow.

The police warning came following the call by Bersih or Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, for the public to wear black and assemble in protest of the scheduled state assembly sitting which the non-governmental organisation (NGO) regards as unconstitutional.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan said party supporters should ignore the demand or appeal by the NGO to foil the assembly proceedings, or risk arrest by police.

“Police will not hesitate to take action, including arresting those who illegally assemble or prevent the state assemblymen from entering the (Perak State Secretariat) building to thwart the assembly sitting.

“We will ensure that no one can create trouble by foiling anything that has been decided by the law. We also assure safety for all the assembymen,” he told reporters after launching the National Job Skills Standards, here, today.

Musa also advised the public to be vigilant of the actions of certain individuals who had been going around inciting the people through the Internet and SMSes to create trouble and to hate the government.

He said police were serious about curbing such actions by irresponsible elements as it could cause uneasiness to the people and threaten racial unity.

Yesterday, a Bersih activist who is also an NGO spokesman, was arrested by police for alleged sedition by issuing a statement urging the people to wear black and assemble in conjunction with the Perak state assembly sitting.

The activist, Wong Chin Huat was arrested at 8pm at his house in Taman Sri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur. It is understood that the Media Studies lecturer at a local university was ordered to be detained for a day by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court.

“Our duty is to ensure peace, so we don't want people to create trouble which can disrupt peace,” said Musa.

“The activist’s action shows that he had deliberately incited the people to illegally gather and thwart the assembly sitting.”

On another matter, the IGP said that the proposal to ban motorcycles from entering the city centre during certain hours was aimed at reducing crime.

He said police and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail had discussed to consider the proposal in light of rising crime, especially snatch theft and robbery cases, in crowded places and tourist spots.

“We will announce the decision soon,” he said. – Bernama

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