Tuesday August 4, 2009
Cops: We’ll consider stadium rallies
KUALA LUMPUR: The police will consider a proposal by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to allow peaceful gatherings in stadiums, to avoid demonstrations on roads, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar yesterday.
He said police welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal but every application for such gatherings would be studied on a case-by-case basis.
“I feel it is a very good suggestion to safeguard peace and harmony as well as avoid incidents like the illegal rally,” he told Bernama.
On Sunday, Najib had said the Government was ready allocate a place that was suitable for peaceful gatherings, like a stadium, to avoid burdening the public.
Ismail said that police would act against the organisers of Saturday’s rally after compiling enough evidence to charge them.
Meanwhile, Bar Council chairman Ragunath Kesavan urged the Government to embrace the increased expression of viewpoints as a positive development in society and give it the democratic space to flourish.
He said the Malaysian Bar denounced the “overzealous and abusive show of power” during Saturday’s rally and the “reckless” use of tear gas and water cannons and urged for the immediate and unconditional release of those who were still being detained.
“Equally deplorable is the treatment of those arrested.
“Juveniles were placed in a cell with adult detainees, which is in violation of child rights and procedures for handling juvenile detainees,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He urged the Government to demonstrate its commitment to democratic processes by not prosecuting any of the participants.
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