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Public urged to speak out against abuse of powers by authorities - Perak DAP forms a 15-lawyers panel to render assistance   Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham (Ipoh, Monday):  Lai Kar Leong, Ramesh and Sukdave Singh should be commended for the boldness in coming forward to complain about what they felt was an unfair imposition of moral standard on them Kar Leong was issued a summons for holding hands with his girlfriend at 10.30 p.m. at the Ipoh Padang. Ramesh was issued a summons for talking to a girl at the Ipoh Tun Abdul Razak library while Sukdave Singh was issued a summons while walking with his girlfriend at the Ipoh Polo grounds at 4.46 p.m. The summons were issued under Parks (Ipoh Municipal Council) By-Laws 1985. It is shocking to note that holding of hands, talking to the opposite sex and walking in the park can be an offence in Ipoh under the said by-laws. CNN has broadcasts this news to the world. The actions of Ipoh City Council is confirming to the world that we are truly an Islamic country which our Prime Minister announced on 29.09.2001. According to Perak Menteri Besar, Dato' Seri Tajol Rosli, 60 people were compounded for "indecent behaviour" in 2000, 72 people in 2001, 97 in 2002 and 170 for the first 5 months' of this year under the said by-laws. I believe many of those issued with summons had also suffered unjustly but for fear of inconvenience or embarrassment did not raise the issue or do not know where to lodge their complaints. DAP is aware of the numerous situations where the people suffer under the hands of the authority. In a democratic system of government this should never be allowed as the people should be the master and the civil servants (public authority) should remain the people's servants. Those who were turned away from land offices or district office for not wearing long pants and those who suffered police brutality or humiliation or suffered other injustices in the hands of public authorities may approach us for assistance. In order to help the public to regain their rightful position and ensure that Ipoh remains an open and free society , Perak DAP has form a panel of 15 lawyers to assist the public in their complaint against any public servant or authority that oppress or abuse them. The names of the lawyers are as follow : 1. Ngeh Koo Ham                 8. Ngeh Ko Cheong 2. M. Kulasegaran                 9. Woo Kor Leong 3. Nga Hock Cheh               10. Karunatakaran 4. Y.B.Nga Kor Ming            11. Shamini 5. Thomas Su                       12. T. Elangovan 6. Guok Jinn Lih                    13. Kenny Lai Choe Kern 7 Y.B. Fong Po Kuan           14. M.Thangaveloo                                                15. Clement Yeo The public must speak up less the condition deteriorate to a stage where the public will be afraid of the public authority.  (9/6/2003) * Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak DAP Chairman