'Hidup Mahathir' hampir cetuskan pergaduhan

Police to record Nurul Izzah’s statement on rally

Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said today that police are expected to record her statement on March 16, under the Public Assembly Act 2012.

Confirming that she had received the "love letter" from the police, Nurul Izzah said she will continue pressing ahead in her cause to free her father and fight for justice for everyone.

"I received a love letter... Checks showed that I am being investigated under the Public Assembly Act, the same Act that (PKR Youth head) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had challenged and won. My appointment is on March 16," she said.

Nurul Izzah said today's #KitaLawan rally was important because it symbolizes Malaysians coming together and that we have a vibrant democracy.

"I think it is a very important symbolism, the site that we are standing (in KLCC), shows that Malaysians are more than just about materialistic wealth. We want to show that we have a vibrant democracy," she said.

Police had earlier warned the public not to join today's street protest, which began from 3pm from three points in the city – Central Market, Masjid Jamek and the PAS headquarters on Jalan Raja Laut – before marching to congregate outside the Sogo shopping centre on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Continuing the march to KLCC, the rally today ended at 6.12pm under the supervision of lawyers and the authorities. PKR claimed to have gathered a crowd of 10,000 in support of Anwar and to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. – March 7, 2015.

10,000 throng KLCC to call for Anwar's release

 

Malaysiakini brings you the live reports and up-to-the-minute updates of the Kita Lawan rally in Kuala Lumpur in support of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

LIVE REPORT

[VIDEO] [PHOTOS]

10.54pm: PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said that Kelana Jaya PKR Youth chief Saifullah Zulkifli, who was arrested earlier, will be sent to the Dang Wangi police station.

Meanwhile, Selangor exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has been asked to go to the Dang Wangi police station at 10am, perhaps for his statement to be taken in connection to today's rally. Nik Nazmi said he will be going there with a lawyer.

8.46pm: Almost all of the rally participants have dispersed and the scene at the venue has returned to normal.

The police, despite declaring the rally illegal earlier this week, took a hands-off approach. The few police officers seen on the streets were helping to smoothen traffic flow.

However, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil told Malaysiakini that a party leader was arrested near Masjid Jamek at 7.45pm.

Kelana Jaya PKR Youth chief Saifullah Zulkifli was detained by the police in connection to the rally and he was sent to the Jinjang police station.

7.07pm: PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli on Twitter thanks those involved and quips that the authorities will underplay the turnout today.

"If Umno counts (the turnout), a few zeros will disappear. That's why the 10,000 will become 100," he tweeted.

"If 1MDB takes RM42 billion, they think its RM42 million," he said on his Twitter.

6.55pm: About 500 protestors are still at KLCC. A driver in a Nissan car passing by tries to provoke the crowd by waving a baseball bat from the car.

The resting crowd gets agitated and starts chasing the car but is stopped by activist Adam Adli and a few friends.

He holds back one angry protester who is seen chasing the car. After the incident, the situation calms down again.

6.40pm: One of the Kita Lawan secretariat members Mandeep Singh tells Malaysiakini that they have no plans to stay overnight at KLCC.

“Initially, we did not plan to stay overnight here.

“But it’s up to the protesters, if they want to, they can spend the night here,” he says

Semambu assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung concurs that the secretariat did not have such plans.

“Maybe we will do so in other rallies,” says Lee.

6.30pm: Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen is in favour of the one-night camp-over at KLCC as suggested by DAP's Hew Kuan Yew.

"As long as rally goers do not damage public property, I think it's fine," he says.

Paulsen, who was among the crowd who marched from Central Market to KLCC, praised Kita Lawan organisers for their efforts in organising the rally.

"Despite misrepresentation of the rally by the police force, I think the people have shown their support by demonstrating peacefully," he told Malaysiakini.

6.07pm: NGO Jingga 13 chief Fariz Musa announces the Kita Lawan rally is officially concluded and that whoever wants to stay on should get candles for a candlelight vigil at KLCC.

The NGO's members stay on to entertain the protestors who are still there while others disperse.

Thus far, no untoward incidents have been observed by Malaysiakini.

6.10pm: PKR Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin gives the last speech and organisers call it a successful day.

Huge crowds are still lingering around, but some have begun to disperse.

There is a mixed reaction to the proposal that the protestors continue to stay overnight at KLCC.

Some tell Malaysiakini that they would not stay as they have other matters to attend to.

Others are more positive, saying they will stay for as long as they have the energy to do so.

PKR Youth communications director Johan Ariff says all will depend on the momentum of the rally.

"If the momentum is good like right now, then maybe we will do this overnight, but where I don't know yet," he tells Malaysiakini.

6.15pm: After his speech, PKR's Subang MP R Sivarasa says there is no problem for the people to stay overnight at KLCC as they are battling oppressive laws.

"The people here are willing to take to the streets to end these oppressive laws that govern us.

"Some don't even mind being arrested, as long as they have made their stand and hopefully (called for) a change for their children and grandchildren," he tells Malaysiakini.

Legally, the lawyer adds, there shouldn't be a problem with the protesters staying overnight as long as they cause no provocation or destroy any public property.

6pm: Activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim reads the 'Sumpah Pemuda' oath (Youth Pledge).

Before that he states: “If Malaysians are not firm, we will be bullied by the government.

“There is only one word when we get oppressed and caught by the authorities, and that is ‘lawan’ (fight back).

“Do we want to retreat? Fellow police officers, you can go home, we know how to take care of ourselves. Go and rest all you want, we will come back here,” he says.

He then reads the oath, saying that they are not doing it for Anwar, but for the oppressed.

“We swear we will continue fighting this corrupt regime.

“We swear that we will continue to move the rakyat forward to continue fighting, in the name of courage, brotherhood, justice."

"Today we 10,000 have come, next week, 100,000 will come," he continues and chants, "Long live the rakyat" and "Reformasi".

5:57pm: Subang MP R Sivarasa addresses the crowd and says the rally today is meant to show the government that people are not satisfied with the judicial system in the country allegedly manipulated by the ruling government.

"Will we stop the struggle of the people and the youth?" he asks the crowd who replied with a rousing response of: "No!"

"This rally is sending a clear message to the judges who have sent Anwar to jail.

"We want to remind the judiciary, we want freedom, we don't want a judicial system that is being controlled (by politicians).

"We will struggle until Malaysia is free and independent," he says, followed with chants of "Free Anwar."

5.50pm: PAS leader Hatta Ramli says the protest has succeeded in being a peaceful one.

"Not one stone has been thrown," he says.

He urges the youth to channel their anger with Prime Minister Najib Razak and the imprisonment of Anwar into votes to be cast at the ballot box.

"We have a future, and I'm sure we have a dream for a better future," he adds.

5.50pm: KLCC - DAP's 'superman' Hew Kuan Yew addressing the crowd urges the ralliers to camp at KLCC for a day.

"Can we?" he asks the crowd, to the response, "Can!"

"But it's up to you all," he adds. Hew has often advocated for rallies to end in camp-ins to send a stronger message.

PAS leader Hatta Ramli then jokes he understands Prime Minister Najib Razak will be sending mattresses to KLCC for them.

"Who wants to stay, please do. I will hold a feast at the end of the month," he quips to laughter from the crowd.

5.35pm: KLCC - The rally has congregated around KLCC. At the main entrance, D'BangsART entertains the crowd with political songs in the face of the rain.

Some in the crowd wave their hands in the air to music and the sound of drums.

One song calls on Najib to step down, and is sung to the tune of Johor's football team 'Luaskan Kuasamu' (Expand your power).

"Oh Najib, oh cheater, we want you to step down. We come, we fight, along with the citizens of Malaysia.

"Fight, fight, we fight until we win. We fight along with the citizens of Malaysia," they sing, as the crowd sings along.

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad meanwhile says Malaysiakini's estimate of 10,000 ralliers is lower than what he observes.

"To me the figure is conservative. There are many more who have shown up," he says.

He says the rally is a success and hopes the photographs will be widely circulated.

"This struggle is not easy, we have to always try harder and we will not be defeated," he says.

He also thanks the police for their cooperation.

5.30pm: KLCC - More explosions are heard, but so far the crowd has remained calm.

One of the marchers Nicholas Law, 27, tells Malaysiakini that he believes it might be an attempt to intimidate the crowd.

"They might be trying to intimidate us, but so far no one is panicking," he says.

He also brushes off alleged attempts to pit Pakatan partners against one another in the lead up to the rally.

"Everyone is here, so it's not an issue," he says.

DAP's special task unit has been helping to facilitate the crowd's movement in the rear guard, protecting them from crossing into traffic and from blocking roads unnecessarily.

PAS's Unit Amal meanwhile is tasked with ensuring the entire rally's security.

5.10pm: PKR vice president and Anwar Ibrahim's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah says she is "speechless and taken aback" with support  from the people who have turned up today.

"I'm so proud to be a Malaysian and to see so many people turn up for this rally.

"This rally is not just about Anwar, but the people's unhappiness with the Najib regime and how it has affected them.

"Many issues like the impending Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 1MDB have driven the people to the streets," she tells Malaysiakini.

5pm: Jalan Ampang - A steady stream of motorists have queued up behind the marchers.

Traffic however resumes smoothly when the crowd turns into Jalan Ampang, the entrance to which police have barricaded for vehicles.

Along the way, a loud bang is heard about 50 metres to the left of the rear guard.

Momentarily startled by the thundering crack, the crowds quickly realise it's a firecracker and shrug it off and move on.

Some policemen are seen directing the traffic to assist the rally.

5pm:  The crowd of several thousands brave the rain, singing songs and beating drums while marching towards KLCC.

Chants of "Reformasi" and "Undur Najib" fill the air.

One protester is seen carrying an effigy resembling Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. The crowd is led by groups holding a poster that stretches as wide as two lanes of the road.

4.30pm: As the crowds march towards KLCC,  about 50 supporters are staying back at Sogo because of the rain.

One supporter who did not wish to be named tells Malaysiakini that he will join them once the drizzling has stopped.

"I'm waiting for the rain to stop," he says.

4.30pm Sogo - A group of protesters calling themselves the 'PKR grassroots members club' arrives at Sogo with a banner bearing the face of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The group shouts, “Hidup Mahathir, hidup Anwar” (long live Mahathir and Anwar).

When asked, one of them named Jaz says they want PKR to collaborate with Mahathir as only the former premier can free Anwar.

“Do you think Mahathir is a child? He is capable of doing great things.

“PKR no longer have brave souls after Anwar was incarcerated. Even Azmin has kept quiet.

“As such, only Mahathir is our hope!” Jaz says.

Meanwhile, several PKR members seem uneasy with this group, and yells, “Undur Mahathir” (down with Mahathir).

They ask the group to prove their PKR memberships by showing their PKR membership cards.

Jaz then shows his card and the two groups argue further.

The 'Mahathir supporters' finally leave the area after 30 minutes.

4.20pm: Thunder roars as Kita Lawan and Pakatan leaders address the crowd.

They are speaking at two different spots at Sogo, one on  the mall's sidewalk, and another in the middle of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

They have begun marching to KLCC.

4.15pm: PKR president Dr Wan Azizah tells the crowd she will convey the message to Anwar Ibrahim that the people have not forgotten him.

"The crowd present here shows how many people care about him. We will never surrender!," she calls out to the crowd of over 10,000, while wearing a poncho to brave the rain.

Alongside her is PAS central comittee member Khalid Samad and her younger daughter, Nurul Nuha Anwar who heads the March 2 Freedom campaign.

4pm: Sogo - Former Bar Council president and Bersih leader S Ambiga addresses the crowd, urging them to fight for Anwar's freedom.

"I am here today to demand the freedom of Anwar. We must fight for his release. We will never surrender!" she shouts.

PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat then takes the loudspeaker. He says PM Najib Razak will soon step down.

"Najib has too many problems. GST, Altantuya and 1MDB. Najib won't last for long, and soon we will be rid of Rosmah too," he tells the cheering crowd.

3.55pm: Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman - The marching crowd at Masjid Jamek occupy half the road, and traffic moves slowly past while the crowd's chants echo around.

Hatta Ramli and PAS leaders from the HQ arrive at the Sogo junction as chants of "Down with Rosmah" reverberate outside the popular shopping centre.

The roads around Sogo are packed with people as the streams from the other meeting points converge at the final destination.

Dang Wangi police chief Zainol Samah is observing developments from across the street.

3.50pm: Sogo - Among the Pakatan leaders who arrive earlier at Masjid Jamek are DAP Rasah MP Anthony Loke, Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, DAP Youth chief Teoh Kok Seong and others.

Hulu Kelang PAS assemblyperson Saari Sungib is also present.

Loke says Pakatan will ensure Anwar remains the parliamentary opposition leader.

"Anwar's soul and spirit can never be imprisoned.

"We will send Anwar's voice to Parliament. We will ensure he continues to lead Pakatan to bring BN down," says Loke.

Saari meanwhile says this rally is not a gathering for Pakatan but for the people of Malaysia.

"Keep the fight, we will continue to struggle and reach Putrajaya," he declares.

3.50pm: Bar Council observer N Yohendra says he is pleased with how the rally is proceedings so far.

"So far it has been a peaceful rally. The police have also given the protesters space to speak and walk," he tells Malaysiakini.

Yohendra adds the Bar Council has two teams assigned to watch over the rally and another to handle arrests if there are any.

"We are here to observe and make sure there is no human rights violation," the lawyer adds.

Meanwhile Klang MP Charles Santiago in a statement this afternoon mulls if agent provocatuers have been planted in the rally.

"Deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim has warned rally goers of tough action, claiming the gathering is "sedition-laced" and 'unlawful'.

 

"For any assembly to be ‘unlawful’, people have to use ‘criminal force’, as provided for in the Penal Code.

 

"Why is the deputy police chief preempting the use of criminal force by members of the public?

 

"Or could this signal a covert plan or a hidden agenda, with the police being aware of agent provocateurs put in place to instigate rally-goers?

 

"Time and again, there have been speculations that when previous rallies got messy, it was the presence of some initiators who played a big hand in disrupting peaceful gatherings," says Santiago.

3.50pm: Masjid Jamek - A crowd of over 1,500 including those from Central Market are heading towards Sogo.

Many are seen carrying placards and some even wearing red headbands with the words 'Kita Lawan' on them

PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar and PKR's Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are seen leading the rally despite the increasing rain.

3.40pm: PAS HQ - About 300 led by Hatta Ramli begin moving towards Sogo. They shout, "Free Anwar" and "Step down, Najib".

Some bear "kita lawan" banners and shout "Reformasi" and "Takbir".

PAS' Unit Amal control the traffic that is moving through Jalan Raja Laut.

3.35pm: Sogo -  It has started to drizzle, and many are now seeking shelter underneath the mall's awning. The crowd is now 500 strong.

Two policemen are walking among them, taking notes and photos.

3.30pm: Masjid Jamek - The crowd here has grown to roughly 1,000 although organisers put it at 3,000.

3.20pm: Central Market - The crowd here beings to march towards Masjid Jamek as a drizzle begins to sound of thunder.

3.20pm. PAS HQ - PAS Youth elections director Mohd Sany Hamzan says today is the climax to the call for Anwar's release from prison.

"If we look at the allegations against Anwar, even if you ask a kindergarten kid, he will say it is slander manufactured by Umno-BN," he says.

"Why? Because he has exposed the extent of the corruption in Umno-BN's leadership," he says, adding today the people are responding to the ruling party.

"Step down, Najib. Free Anwar," he says.

PAS central committee member Khalid Samad takes his turn and says this is a peaceful rally to show support for Anwar, the political prisoner.

"What has been done to him is slander to break up and weaken Pakatan.

"We do not accept this, we have to oppose the oppression of the rulers. Malaysians are a sovereign people, we do not support (the government's) cruelty.

"We are here to show our opposition to what Umno-BN is doing.

"We must have courage. What we are doing is to make our country fair and prosperous," says the Shah Alam MP to shouts of "Takbir!"

3.20pm: Sogo - The crowds continue to swell, getting more upbeat with the chanting.

Meanwhile five police officers are spotted across the street from the mall, talking on their radios.

DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng is also here, and assures Malaysiakini that the DAP crowd will be coming from Masjid Jamek.

3.15pm: PAS HQ - Batu MP Tian Chua tells the 100-odd crowd there this is a "historic" days as March 8 was the day Pakatan denied BN its two-thirds parliamentary majority in 2008.

He says today's rally also serves to stir up the spirit of the people shown that landmark year.

"The people have begun to gain awareness of the right to peaceful assembly.

"We are also proud to hold the record of (our rallies) causing no damage to public property, not having ever caused unrest and we have gathered with noble intentions, and shown courage to resist continued oppression," he says.

"We don't want to saddle our grandchildren with a political system that is corrupt. And we have no other way but to work hard to bring BN down."

He reminds the crowd to follow the instructions of PAS' Unit Amal and avoid falling prey to provocation.

He adds Human Rights Commission Suhakam and the Bar Council are observing the rally.

PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh is also present.

3.10pm: Sogo -  The crowd has grown to 400 people, and present is Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen.

The crowd waves PKR flags, but no PAS or DAP flags are seen.

"(The number of) DAP (supporters) should be okay, and the PAS supporters will be coming from their headquarters," Wong tells Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile a water vendor gets into the spirit mimicking the opposition slogan 'lawan tetap lawan' (keep fighting) shouting, "Minum tetap minum," (keep on drinking) to draw customers.

3.05pm: Central Market - Around 300 in black T-shirts start to gather in front of the building.

Among them are Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen and Perak PKR Youth chief Zafril Eusoff.

Inside the popular arts and crafts mall it is business as usual and the shopping crowd looks calm, going about their browsing through the shops and wares.

3.03pm: Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah has been served notice to attend questioning by Dang Wangi police over the Kita Lawan rally at Sogo that took place on Feb 14.

According to Padang Serai MP N Surendran, police have confirmed to lawyers that the investigation is under section 9(5) of Peaceful Assembly Act.

He said this was despite that this section was declared unlawful by the Court of Appeal in Selangor exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's case.

3pm: Masjid Jamek  - PKR Semambu assemblyperson  Lee Chean Chung addresses the crowd of over 300 at Masjid Jamek LRT station from the top of a truck .

He calls on the crowd to start the march at 3.30pm.

"Let us walk together to Sogo to show its not just the NGOs that are participating at this rally, but the people have gotten down to the streets to express their unhappiness. Reformasi!," Lee screams out on top of his lungs.

2.45pm: Sogo - There is a crowd of at least 300 people gathered outside Sogo now. It is difficult to discern how many are protestors and how just spectators.

Only about 50 people are seen wearing Kita Lawan or Reformasi T-shirts.

Shouts of "Reformasi" and "Hancur Najib" fill the air.

2.30pm: Masjid Jamek - More than 10 members of Pahang Raub Anti-Cyanide gold mining committee are at Masjid Jamek to show their support.

"We are against unfairness and injustice," says one of the group, Hue Soo Lim.

2.20pm: Masjid Jamek - Around 50 members from the #KitaLawan Hulu Selangor division have gathered at Masjid Jamek LRT station.

The members are carrying placards with slogans like 'retreat Najib' and ‘Kita lawan'. The participants in an upbeat mood sing songs calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Cries calling for "reformasi" and "free Anwar Ibrahim" are also heard.

2.15pm: PAS HQ - PKR vice-president Tian Chua arrives at the PAS headquarters. After taking pictures with PKR members, the group shouts "lawan tetap lawan".

2.10pm: Met by reporters, Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye says they are here to give their support and solidarity for Anwar.

“We want to state our stand on the oppression against Anwar and on economy-related matters such as the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

“It is clear that there was a political conspiracy in Anwar's case and the case was used to split Pakatan and to prevent the coalition from reaching Putrajaya."

Lee adds that the rally gives an opportunity to the rakyat to state their stand and that the rakyat are the judges.

2.05pm: PAS HQ -Around 40 PKR members from Perlis and the Gopeng branch have arrived at the PAS headquarters, carrying banners bearing the words “undur Rosmah undur” and “undur Najib undur” (step down Rosmah and Najib).

The group also shouts slogans of “lawan tetap lawan” and “reformasi”.

Also in attendance is Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye.

1.50pm: Sogo - There is a calm before the storm at Sogo where the Kita Lawan rally will place.

About two dozen protestors have been spotted outside the mall, spread out among crowds of shoppers who are taking shade from the blistering heat, enjoying a show being put on by buskers.

There is no police presence as yet.

1.30pm: At least five thousand are expected to gather in downtown Kuala Lumpur today for the first major protest of 2015, which police have branded as illegal for multiple reasons.

The Kita Lawan protest at Sogo will campaign for the release of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and for the resignation Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

It is however unclear how much support the Pakatan coalition is giving to the rally.

PAS has not issued a directive for its members to support, while Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has advised his mostly-DAP state representatives they have state duties to perform today and should concentrate on that.

The protest is expected to kick off at 3pm, with participants marching from Central Market, Masjid Jamek and the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, towards Sogo, and may last until midnight.

Previous Kita Lawan rallies have resulted in the arrests of activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim, PKR supreme council member Fariz Musa, and PKR Youth Chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Seditious gatherings against the law, deputy IGP warns

Rallies for illegal intentions such as to force or threaten the government will be dealt with firmly

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Any gathering, which is seditious in nature, is against the law and firm action will be taken against the organisers of such gatherings, reminded the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

He said police would facilitate peaceful gatherings and allow them to express whatever views and actions, subject to a limit.

“If they gather for illegal intentions, such as to force and threaten the government to do something, it is wrong,” he told a media conference after opening the Department of Integrity and Standard Compliance (JIPS) carnival at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters here, today.

He was commenting on the aspiration of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which wanted to hold a gathering ‘kemuncak #KitaLawan’ on Saturday (March 7) purportedly to express support to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Noor Rashid said gatherings which were against the law could be defined under Section 141, 142 and 143 of the Penal Code.

He said gatherings could be considered as contravening the law when all speeches and actions were seditious in nature, and would flout existing laws.

“We will monitor…we facilitate their business to hold a gathering, at the same time, police will act firmly if the opposite happens,” he said.

On Feb 27, Dang Wangi District Police chief ACP Zainol Samah said no application was received, in accordance with the law, to organise the gathering (from PKR).

Zainol also proposed Padang Merbok and several other areas as venues for the gathering and was prepared to facilitate them in terms of security and traffic.

On Feb 10, the Federal Court rejected Anwar’s appeal and upheld his conviction and five-year jail sentence for sodomising his former personal assistant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, on June 26, 2008.

Anwar is now serving his sentence at the Sungai Buloh Prison, Selangor.

- BERNAMA

Penganjur ikrar himpunan #KitaLawan tetap diteruskan

Citing late notice, police declare Saturday’s free Anwar rally illegal

Police have declared a demonstration to be held this Saturday to press for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's freedom illegal under the Peaceful Assembly Act.

The rally in Kuala Lumpur led by PKR Youth's #KitaLawan movement failed to notify the police early enough of its plans, the police said.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah said that the organiser did not give police enough advance notice to hold the rally as required under the law.

"They have to fill up a form and submit it to us within 10 days before any gathering to be held under Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. I have not received any notice from them," said Zainol in a press conference held at the district police headquarters today, near the venue of the rally which will be held outside the Sogo shopping complex.

He said police had suggested three locations for the gathering, but #KitaLawan organisers had decided to go ahead with the demonstration outside Sogo.

"We suggested Padang Merbuk, Stadium Negara and also the Sultan Sulaiman Club, but they declined," said Zainol.

The police ban on the gathering follows a police report lodged by the management of the Sogo shopping complex against the rally organisers, on the grounds that the demonstration would be bad for business.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider that the report was lodged last week, a few days before the rally outside the same shopping complex on February 28 that was held as a precursor to the March 7 gathering.

Police had allowed the rally on February 28 to proceed.

On that day, about 150 supporters had marched from Sogo to another Kuala Lumpur landmark, the Suria KLCC shopping centre where the Petronas Twin Towers are.

At Sogo, opposition politicians had been able to give speeches to the crowd gathered.

Prior to that, #KitaLawan had also managed to stage two other demonstrations outside Sogo in previous weeks.

Police had met with PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and other #KitaLawan organisers on February 27 to discuss their plans for the March 7 rally.

At that meeting, police told the group that they could proceed with the demonstration provided it was held in a stadium. The group has opted not to.

Sources who told The Malaysian Insider about the police report lodged by the Sogo management said that among the reasons given in the report was that the rallies had affected business, disrupted the flow of traffic, and affected public security, including that of tourists who frequented the area.

It is understood that the operator of a fast food chain in the city also lodged a police report against the rally organiser for causing damage to property during a previous gathering.

To date, six police reports have been lodged by individuals and business entities against #KitaLawan.

Nik Nazmi said the organisers met with police today for 40 minutes.

"They suggested few venues, but we insist of gathering in front of Sogo. They spelled out certain terms and we will bring this back and discuss it with other committee members in a meeting tonight," he said.

Also present at the meeting with the police today were activist Mandeep Singh, Pas Youth treasurer Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mohd Mokhtar and DAP National Youth chief Teo Kok Seong.

The rally on March 7 is to push for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's resignation and to demand for the release of Anwar, the Opposition Leader.

Anwar's sodomy conviction and five-year jail sentence was upheld by the Federal Court on February 10. His supporters claim it is a ploy to end his political career.

Lawyers have said the Peaceful Assembly Act cannot be used to criminalise rallies, based on a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal last year that upheld the right to peaceful gatherings.

Lawyers have also warned that police seemed to be using a new "tactic" to nab demonstrators by using the Penal Code instead. – March 4, 2015.

March 7 demo will also demand for PM's ouster

The planned protest against Anwar Ibrahim's incarceration on March 7 will also demand for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation, said organisers.

The organisers have stated 12 reasons for this, including the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case with regard to former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's latest revelations.

Calling themselves #KitaLawan, the group also wants opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to be freed.

In statement, the #KitaLawan secretariat said last Saturday’s arrest during a protest at the same venue has not deterred them.

As planned earlier, the organiser added, similar protests will be held outside the shopping mall every Saturday until the demands are met.

Among others, #KitaLawan's 12 reasons for Najib to step down includes the 1MDB scandal, reneging promises to abolish sedition laws, GST implementation, weak handling of the economy, failing to stem corruption, failing to ensure free elections and abusing public institutions.

"If these issues are not resolved, the people of Malaysia will face more burdens.

"In view of this, we urge all Malaysians to take the first step towards rectifying the nation's problems by joining our rally on March 7 to demand that Najib step down," said the group.

The rally by #KitaLawan, a coalition of NGOs in cooperation with the youth wings of Pakatan Rakyat component parties, coincides with the March 2 Freedom rally organised by Anwar's family members.

March 2 Freedom slated for March 7 and 8 in Kuala Lumpur. Details of the rally have yet to be released.

Asked if a police permit was needed for the rally, #KitaLawan spokesperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad promised that the rally organisers will cooperate with the police.

"We would carry on with the rally no matter what and we will give full cooperation to the police," said Nik Nazmi, who is also PKR Youth chief and Selangor exco member.

Unity March: Over 40 world leaders rally in Paris against extremism

Peaceful rally not an absolute right, court told

Restrictions are necessary for public order, says federal counsel.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The right to assemble peacefully is not an absolute right but is subject to restrictions in the interest of security of the federation or public order, the High Court heard today.

Senior federal counsel Kamal Azira Hassan, representing the government in a suit it has filed against former Bersih co-chairman S. Ambiga and 15 others, said the protection of the rights of other people was a crucial part of exercising the right to assemble.

He submitted that the restrictions were reasonably necessary and expedient for public order.

He pointed out that damage to property of other persons by an assembled crowd had the potential to explode into chaos and anarchy.

Kamal Azira said this in his submission before High Court judge John Louis O’Hara.

Kamal Azira contended that in any event, provisions under Section 6(2)(g) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 did not prohibit the freedom of movement of the organisers but merely imposed obligations on them to ensure that their assembly did not cause damage to property.

After the government concluded the submissions today, the court fixed January 30 to deliver its decision.

On May 15, 2012, the government filed the suit against Ambiga and 15 other individuals, claiming that Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, 2012 had caused damage to public property.

In the suit, it seeks special compensation amounting to RM110,543.27 as costs to repair damaged police vehicles, other costs, interests and other relief deemed fit by the court.

It is also seeking a declaration that the defendants, as organisers of the Bersih 3.0 rally, had violated Section 6 (2)(g) of the PAA as they had the responsibility of ensuring that the gathering would not cause damage to public property.

In the statement of claim, the government also stated that the gathering around Dataran Merdeka turned unruly when participants broke through police barricades.

It said that on that day, the police were stationed around the area to ensure that rally participants did not violate the order issued by the magistrate’s court on April 26, which prohibited a gathering from being held at Dataran Merdeka and for the public not to be present there or to take part in

any protest rally between April 28 and May 1, 2012.

– BERNAMA

More than 15,000 at anti-GST rally

A threat of a heavy downpour also failed to diminish the spirit of the participants from taking part in the rally.

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 15,000 people gathered at Dataran Merdeka today in support of the anti-GST rally, and by 4pm, thousands more were expected to join the crowd. Organisers believe the final number could be closer to 20,000.

A threat of a heavy downpour also failed to diminish the spirit of the participants from taking part in the rally.

Earlier the rally kicked off with a strong crowd support and speeches from NGO leaders in front of the iconic KLCC twin towers.

By 2pm, more that 3,000 people had gathered at the scene, with more people joining in as the crowd started to march towards Dataran Merdeka.

The rally started with speeches from civil society leaders – including Bersih chairperson Maria Chin

Abdullah and her predecessor S Ambiga – who lambasted the government’s plan to implement the GST. They also called for equal rights for local and foreign workers in conjunction of May Day.

“Everyone is going to suffer under GST. But the rich are only going to get richer,” said Maria.

“It is important for everyone to know the truth about GST and it is important for us to oppose the implementation of the GST,” she added.

“(And) not to forget free and fair election,” she further said.

Her views were later mirrored by speakers from PSM and the anti-Lynas activists.

Apart from KLCC, people had also gathered at selected locations in Dataran Maybank, opposite Sogo shopping complex and Masjid Negara. They would all march towards Dataran Merdeka.

Traffic police could be been assisting in managing the traffic to allow a smooth march towards Dataran Merdeka.

Gasak sampai tumbang

Earlier it was all well at all major roads leading to the city ahead of the May 1 rally – also dubbed as the anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) protest – scheduled for the later part of this afternoon.

The scene at the KLCC – one of the meeting points – shows hundreds of people starting to gather.

Likewise, people have started gathering at Dataran Maybank, Sogo and Masjid Negara, all awaiting the green light from the organisers to start their peaceful walk towards the Sultan Abdul Samad building opposite Dataran Merdeka.

Chanting ‘Gasak Sampai Tumbang’ and ‘hidup rakyat‘, the majority of them are walking about or standing by the roadsides under the watchful eyes of the police who are there to avoid unnecessary incidents from occurring.

Opportunistic hawkers selling mineral water bottles and canned drinks have also been spotted plying their wares to the people present.

On April 21, IGP Khalid Abu Bakar urged rally organisers not to gather at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur but a three-member Appeals Court panel ruled last Friday that the 10-day notice requirement under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile Bernama reported that some of the participants had defied the police advice by taking along children and carrying placards.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh said the participants were allowed to gather

around the Merdeka Square but barred from entering the field and podium as they were being upgraded.

They are also not allowed to take along children, loud hailers, placards, banners, and weapons as the actions violated the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, he added.

Policemen and Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement personnel are manning Dataran Merdeka, the focal point of the rally where the participants are expected to assemble between 2 pm and 5 pm.

Don’t fear cops, rally goers told

The police will be the ones breaking the law if they take action, says Lawyers for Liberty.

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today assured organisers of the May 1 rally and intending participants that they need not fear police action.

Citing a recent Court of Appeal decision, LFL founder N Surendran said the public demonstration against the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be legal even without a police permit.

“If the police take action, they are going against the Court of Appeal’s judgment, and they will be the ones breaking the law,” he told FMT.

“I encourage Malaysians to exercise their right to freedom of assembly. Ignore the illegal warnings and assemble peacefully.”

He urged the police not to “behave like gangsters”.

The rally, organised by 95 civic groups, will be held in the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka.

The Court of Appeal last Friday struck down Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PPA), which provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 if a 10-day notice is not given to the police before a peaceful assembly is held.

The court ruled that it was unconstitutional and went against the right to freedom of assembly as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

A three-man bench led by Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof acquitted Selangor Deputy Speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who had been charged over last year’s Black 505 rally.

“The 10-day notice is still required, but no criminal penalty should be enforced,” Mohamad Ariff said.

Bar Council president Christopher Leong told FMT that the objective of Section 9 was for the police to have prior notice of a peaceful assembly.

“This is so that the police can facilitate in terms of traffic and security,” he said. “The police are duty-bound to take measures to facilitate a peaceful assembly.

“The assembly will be lawful so long as it is a peaceful assembly. As such, organisers should not be punished.”

Commenting on pending PAA cases, Leong said it was wrong for the prosecution to go ahead in light of the Court of Appeal’s decision.

Demo 1 Mei haram, polis nasihati orang ramai jangan hadir

Ex-IGP doubts Dec 31 putsch claims

PSM: Not police's job to decide if people should rally

The job of the police is to maintain security, not to decide whether the people should demonstrate against price hikes or not.

"The police's statement to hinder the people's right to assemble to voice their protest against the hikes in various costs, including electricity and highway toll charges, is police interference in the people's rights.

"The job of the police is to ensure public peace and security, not to make political decisions whether the people ought to assemble at Dataran Merdeka or not," Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan said today.

He was responding to mounting government action in deterring the planned rally on New Year's Eve in Kuala Lumpur at Dataran Merdeka, the annual focal point of new year celebrations.

“PSM is in solidarity with the organisers of this rally opposing price hikes and are supportive of this peaceful assembly,” he said.

He also expressed his worry over the police bringing up claims about there being weapons and bombs to be used during the rally.

“The police’s tactics do not seem to have changed,” he said, referring to similar claims made before the Bersih 2.0 rally.

Meanwhile, PKR’s Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also issued a statement in support of the rally, decrying government institutions for “slandering” the rally with accusations that rally-goers were out to topple the government.

“This is the same script that was written for rallies such as Bersih and so on. But allegations that molotov cocktails and machetes were to be used during the rally died right after Bersih,” he pointed out.

He said that the government was trying to divert away from the issues that are being brought forth by the rally organisers, such as the price hikes, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“Enough of Umno-BN making a fool out of the people,” he said.

NGO to top cop: Retract weapons claim, or we sue

Jingga 13 has urged KL deputy police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh to withdraw the claim that the NGO is allegedly involved in a plot to cause unrest during an anti-price hike protest on New Year’s eve at Dataran Merdeka, or face legal action.

Jingga 13 deputy coordinator Amizudin Ahmat (right) said such allegation was malicious, defamatory and nonsensical, aimed at diverting attention from the real issue, which is rising costs.

“Jingga 13 has never, at any time, released any statement or instruction to anyone, through whatever instrument, planning to cause any unrest, what more involving the use of weapons of bombs with the intention of toppling the government,” he said after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters today.

He was referring to a statement by Amar Singh yesterday alleging that protesters from four NGOs plan to use various weapons, including grenades, to spark unrest.

The four NGOs named were - Jingga 13, Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM).

Amizudin today further demanded that police produce evidence to back this claim.

He added that the organisation was also mooting filing a defamation suit against Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and TV3 should Amar Singh not retract his claim.

“Jingga 13 stresses that these malicious accusations against us is slander intended to spoil our reputation and intimidate the rakyat with claims of chaos, weapons and hand grenades,” he said.

Meanwhile, SAMM has stated it will send a letter of demand to Amar on Monday.

Turun chief Azan Safar (left), who is the main mover of the anti-price hike protest on Dec 31, has accused the government of attempting to divert attention from bread and butter issues.

Azan has insisted that the protest is solely aimed at putting pressure on the government for increasing prices of electricity, sugar, fuel and other essential items.

Peniaga harap perhimpunan batal

Peniaga di sekitar Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) dan Dataran Merdeka di sini berharap hari terakhir 2013 akan membawa pulangan berganda kepada mereka.

Oleh Siti Salwa Shaari dan Lili Mazlina Nordin

KUALA LUMPUR: Golongan peniaga sekitar ibu kota berharap sambutan ambang tahun baharu Selasa ini, tidak dicemari perhimpunan yang dikatakan untuk menggulingkan kerajaan kerana akan menjejaskan pendapatan mereka.

Tinjauan Bernama di sekitar Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) dan Dataran Merdeka di sini hari ini mendapati para peniaga di sekitar kawasan itu amat berharap hari terakhir 2013 akan membawa pulangan berganda kepada mereka memandangkan orang ramai akan tertumpu di ibu kota bagi mengikuti pelbagai aktiviti anjuran Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.

Pengurus Persatuan Perniaga dan Penjaja Lorong TAR Mahdir Jaafar, 57, berkata perhimpunan itu tidak wajar diadakan kerana kerajaan sedia ada telah dipilih rakyat berdasarkan suara majoriti pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 pada 5 Mei lalu.

“Jika ada rasa tidak puas hati atau sebagainya, ada cara yang tepat untuk meluahkannya, bukan melalui perhimpunan yang boleh menjejaskan periuk nasi orang lain,” katanya kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.

Perhimpunan itu, yang didakwa akan diadakan pada Selasa malam di Dataran Merdeka oleh badan bukan kerajaan, disebarkan melalui laman sosial Facebook dan Twitter, menimbulkan rasa kurang senang kepada pengurus sebuah hotel di situ.

`Pintu hotel pecah’

Pengurus Besar Swiss Hotel Roy Marshall, 34, berkata beliau berharap perhimpunan itu tidak akan diteruskan memandangkan hotel beroperasi 24 jam dan berada hampir dengan Dataran Merdeka.

“Jika mereka bertegas untuk berhimpun, penganjur perlu pastikan ia berlangsung dalam keadaan aman.

Perhimpunan akan tetap menyukarkan pengunjung dan pekerja untuk datang ke hotel kerana bas dan teksi tidak boleh melalui jalan ini.

“Tetapi, jika berlaku kekecohan seperti perhimpunan Bersih 2.0 (pada 9 Julai 2007), pintu kaca hotel pecah dan lif rosak kerana terlampau ramai yang merempuh masuk, kononnya untuk berlindung,” katanya.

Beliau berkata sekeping pintu kaca hotel memerlukan RM5,000 untuk diperbaiki Sementara itu, pekerja kedai runcit Namneet Singh, 25, berkata dia masih ingat kejadian perhimpunan Bersih 3.0 pada 28 April 2012 apabila terpaksa berkurung di dalam kedai selama enam jam.

`Takut keluar’

“Walaupun tidak ada kekerasan berlaku, saya takut untuk keluar. Hanya duduk diam di dalam (kedai). Nasib baik kedai runcit, jadi boleh makan makanan ringan dan tidak lapar sangat dalam tempoh itu,” katanya.

Namneet, yang telah tujuh tahun bekerja di situ, berkata dia juga masih trauma dengan pengalaman ‘disimbah’ gas pemedih mata semasa dalam perjalanan ke kedai pada perhimpunan Bersih 2.0.

“Saya harap mereka yang tidak terlibat dengan perhimpunan itu nanti tidak mengalami nasib seperti itu. Kami berada di sini hanya cari makan,” katanya.

Bagi Sheikh Shafqat Ali, 52, dia sedih jika perhimpunan itu diteruskan kerana baru sahaja berpindah ke Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman sebulan lalu, selepas mendapati kawasan itu sesuai untuk berniaga kain dan tudung.

Peniaga itu, yang sebelum ini berniaga di Sentul dekat sini, berkata kedainya masih dalam proses pengubahsuaian dan berharap waktu perniagaan boleh berjalan seperti biasa Selasa ini bagi memastikan kerja-kerja pengubahsuaian dapat diteruskan.

“Sekarang ini, saya masih tidak tahu sama ada perlu atau tidak untuk pendekkan waktu perniagaan.

“Susah macam ini. Berniaga macam kami ini bermaksud setiap hari adalah ‘income’. Jika tutup macam mana? Apatah lagi esoknya (1 Jan 2014) adalah cuti umum, jadi pelanggan lebih ramai,” katanya.

Bernama

Cops serious about chaos email

The police have questioned PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli over an e-mail purportedly on a plan to create chaos at the New Year eve's celebrations in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police view the case of an email, purportedly sent by Abdul Rahim Ghouse, a close friend of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) director of strategy, Rafizi Ramli, on a plan to create chaos at strategic locations in conjunction with the New Year celebrations on Tuesday, seriously.

The email is said to have surfaced on social website, Facebook.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Hadi Ho Abdullah said police had called up Rafizi, who is also Pandan Member of Parliament, to assist investigations.

“The public are advised to respect peace and order in the country while celebrating the new year,” he said in a posting on the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) Facebook.

He said until today, police had received 1,151 reports against a planned assembly, aimed at causing creating public disorder.

Meanwhile, a weekly newspaper, Mingguan Malaysia, today reported that Abdul Rahim denied sending the email.

Meanwhile, Rafizi, when met by reporters after giving his statement at the Dang Wangi police station here today, denied he was responsible for sending the email.

He was seen entering the police station with three men at about 10am and left at noon.

Dec 31 rally organisers to bring grenades, claim cops

Police today issued a stern warning that individuals or groups would be charged for holding an anti-price hike protest on New Year’s Eve at Dataran Merdeka this Tuesday.

Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh (left) said police would not hesitate to detain parties attempting to spark unrest under the Penal Code and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

He said intelligence found several groups and non-governmental organisations (NGO) would be involved in the illegal gathering to show their dissatisfaction against the government and to create chaos.

"Kumpulan Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Jingga 13, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia as well as Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia were believed to be involved in the gathering," he told a media conference at Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters today.

He added that the illegal assembly organisers would also be setting up camps around Dataran Merdeka and would be bringing various weapons, including grenades and gas masks to stir up a commotion.

In this regard, Amar Singh advised the people not to participate and support the assembly as it is against the law.

He said to date, police have received 588 reports nationwide in protest against the assembly to bring down the government.

- Bernama

Perhimpunan haram dikhuatiri cetus rusuhan kaum

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

KUCHING: Tindakan Persatuan Anak Muda Sarawak untuk mengadakan Perhimpunan Haram di Padang Merdeka, 31 Disember ini, mendapat kecaman dari Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

“Ia bukan sahaja menyalahi undang-undang, malah boleh mencetuskan suasana tidak tenteram, huru-hara dan menjejaskan keharmonian kaum yang dinikmati rakyat pelbagai kaum selama ini.

“Tindakan pihak terbabit sama sekali bercanggah dengan nilai-nilai budaya di Sarawak yang dihuni kira-kira 30 suku etnik yang selama ini hidup aman dan harmoni,” tegasnya.

Malah, katanya, rakyat beragama Kristian baru sahaja menyambut perayaan Krismas dalam suasana aman harmoni dengan budaya saling mengunjungi tanpa mengira kaum dan anutan agama berdasarkan konsep 1Malaysia yang menjadi nadi kekuatan perpaduan di Sarawak.

Menteri Kerja Raya itu menasihati rakyat di semua peringkat usia supaya tidak terpengaruh dengan hasutan persatuan terbabit atau mana-mana pihak berkepentingan yang mahu mencetuskan suasana huru-hara dan porak-peranda menerusi perhimpunan sedemikian.

“Kita perlu sama-sama memelihara keharmonian kaum dan keamanan di negara ini dengan menggunakan saluran yang betul untuk menyatakan rasa tidak puas hati, bukannya bertindak melakukan perhimpunan yang kononnya aman tetapi boleh bertukar menjadi insiden yang tidak diingini,” katanya.

Tambahnya, negara ini memiliki saluran demokrasi berparlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri atau kepada kementerian untuk menyampaikan rasa tidak puas hati atau apa jua masalah tanpa perlunya mencetuskan huru-hara.

“Saya menggesa semua pihak memelihara keamanan dan keharmonian kaum dengan menghindarkan diri daripada terlibat dengan perhimpunan sedemikian demi mengelakkan kejadian tidak diingini tercetus di negara yang kita cintai ini,” ujarnya.

PBB akan memantau keadaan dan akan membuat laporan polis sekiranya perlu.

Jika tidak, perkara itu mampu mengganggu keharmonian dan kestabilan yang akan dikecapi menjelang ambang tahun baru nanti dengan insiden yang tidak dijangka.

“Justeru, kita perlu sama-sama memfokuskan perhatian dalam usaha untuk membangunkan negeri Sarawak demi kesejahteraan rakyat, bukan sebaliknya.

“Apa yang kita harapkan adalah sambutan kali ini diraikan secara aman tanpa melibatkan perhimpunan jalanan yang diharapkan oleh pihak tertentu untuk mengucar-kacirkan keadaan,” katanya.

2013, a year of tragedies for Malaysia

The incidents which were often followed by sometimes incredulous 'official' explanations have left Malaysians with more questions than answers.

KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2013 has seen a diverse series of ‘tragedies’ in the country ranging from politics, finance, crumbling buildings, accidents, gangland killings, unexplained deaths in custodies and calamities as a result of environmental desecration and climatic change.

The incidents which were often followed by sometimes incredulous ‘official’ explanations have left Malaysians with more questions than answers.

Politically May 5 was defining not so much for Barisan Nasional and the opposition but for the rakyat.

They learnt that popular votes don’t count under the first-past the post system practiced here and that no amount of Black 05 gatherings and rantings on ground and on social media platforms will change the polls outcome.

They also heard that we were heading the Greek-way in terms of ballooning debts and there was really nothing the man on the streets could do because it is increasingly obvious that the rakyat must scrimp and save for the Umno-led government to spend as it likes.

On the streets, post GE13, the Malaysian parliament was told that there has been 230 cases of death in custody since year 2000.

Up until July 2013, Amnesty International noted 12 deaths.

These deaths have yet to be properly explained by the authorities.

Amnesty International in a open letter in July pointed out that police abuses allegedly also took place outside of custody and that they had received a “steady” flow of reliable reports of police using unnecessary, excessive and sometimes lethal force during arrests.

Also in July and August gangland clashes topped the news with reports of dismantled pistols, revolvers smuggled in from Thailand and later sold cheaply here.

As at August this year, there have been at least 35 reported shootings nationwide which left 22 dead.

Killings and drownings

The spike in drive-by shootings and mafia-style killings including the high profile murder of banker Ahmad Hussain Najadi in July saw the police and government lawmakers blaming the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance (EO) in 2011.

They claimed the abolishing the EO had set free 2,600 hardcore criminals and gang members who were now allegedly on rampage.

Also reported in the first half of the year was the tragic loss of three lives in Sarawak.

On May 28, a boat packed with more than 100 people returning home to celebrate the annual Gawai Dayak festival with family and friends capsized after hitting a log.

Three passengers died while others were either rescued by villagers or managed to swim to safety.

The accident in Sungai Rejang near Jeram Giam brought into focus the lack of enforcement on safety issues. Boats and ferries are crucial mode of travel along the mighty Rejang.

The incident also drew attention to the incessant logging activities, legal and otherwise, alongside the river and the state government’s dogged determination to build more dams at ths cost of its indigenous people and environment.

On June 6 four people were killed when a section of the Second Penang bridge, which was under construction, collapsed on a Perodua Kelisa car they were travelling in.

If the first half was not morbid enough, Bernama reported that the country’s worst road tragedy in 17 years was the Genting Highlands crash.

The tragedy on Aug 21 claimed 37 lives.

The crash occurred when the Kuala Lumpur-bound stage bus which ferried 53 people, skidded and plunged 60 metres into a ravine at the 3.5km Jalan Genting Highlands.

Human failings or attitudes

A Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) study noted, among other factors, that the bus which was going downhill was being driven at break-neck speed, exceeding 50kmph.

The other factor was its dysfunctional brake system.

The rescue operation which followed, involving more than 150 firemen and personnel from various agencies, was hailed as the most organised and efficient.

On Oct 10, a MASWings Twin Otter aircraft crashed in Kudat while attempting to land at the provincial airport.

Two people were killed and 16 others injured in the incident which saw the plane overshoot the airport runway and crash into a house in Kampung Sinsan, killing the co-pilot and a passenger.

Two weeks later the serenity in Cameron Highlands was interupted following a landslide and mud flood in the Bertam Valley.

Three people were killed, one injured and another reportedly missing in the incident which also damaged 80 houses and about 100 vehicles.

The incident occurred after Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), which operates the Sultan Abu Bakar hydroelectric dam power plant di Ringlet, released water from the dam to avoid it from bursting, following continuous rain since Oct 22.

According to TNB the water was released according to procedures.

The fault they insinuated was not theirs but the state authorities which allowed ‘settlements’ buffer zones and the continued apathy among residents.

Post incident cleanup saw tonnes and tonnes of garbage and debri surface.

‘Unusual rainfall’

A week later, on Oct 30, three people returning from a haj pilgrimage were killed and three others were injured when the van they were travelling in, crashed into a lorry at the East Coast Expressway.

Early this month, more than 40,000 residents in Pahang had to be evacuated to relief centres due to flood.

Three people were killed in the floods, said to have been caused by “unusual rainfall”.

The flood caused 1,072 TNB sub-stations to be submerged, resulting in TNB to stop electricity supply to 62,907 consumers.

With just days to go before 2014 descends on us, the rains continue to pelt Malaysia even as other ‘tragedies’ beseige us in the form of arbitrary price hikes in everday goods, utilities and the much speculated looming unemployment situation next year.

Whilst the government continues to shut out naysayers, the reality on the ground is shaping up to prove the authorities wrong.