The lifting of ban on public rallies a
false hope
Press Statement
by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew
(Petaling Jaya, Friday):
Malaysians who were excited
about the announcement made by the Election Commission chairman Tan Sri
Abdul Rashid should realise by now, that the lifting of the 25-year ban in
the coming general election may turn out to be just a false hope.
Abdul Rashid's announcement was
questioned by de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim. Rais, who is a minister
in the Prime Minister's Department, told Berita Harian that the commission
has no legal right to allow such outdoor rally during elections, adding that
this discretion lies with the police.
Rais was joined by Consumer
Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Sports and Youth Minister Datuk
Hishamudin Hussein.
Muhyiddin, who is also Umno
vice-president, said he disagreed with the EC chief's 'proposal' as outdoor
political rallies could be a threat against national security.
Hishamudin said the EC announcement
has put the police in a difficult position. He also said that it is a matter
for the police as it involves security.
The biggest blow came from the
DPM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Upon his return from China, he told
reporters that the police would have the final say on the matter. He is also
the Home Minister, the person who controls the entire police force.
Even Abdul Rashid himself has
openly admitted that it is up to the police to decide whether a permit would
be given or otherwise.
The Election Offences Act
Section 24(B) (3) states:
A candidate or his election
agent may, during the campaign period:
a) hold, convene or organise
any open public meeting, open public rally, open public display or open
public entertainment; or
b) give any open public address
or open public lecture in the constituency in which the candidate seeks
election;
but only if he holds a
permit to do so, given to him by the police officer in charge of the
district where the meeting, rally, display or entertainment is to be held,
or the address or lecture is to be given.
The reaction from the BN/UMNO
top leaders was natural and predictable. How could they discard an unfair
advantage, which would help them winning elections all these years? Unlike
the opposition parties, BN does not need public rallies or ceramahs to
spread their message because they enjoy full access to TV, radio, newspapers
and every other medium for their propaganda during, before and after general
elections. And the word fair play was never in their dictionary anyway.
(19/9/2003)
* Ronnie Liu Tian
Khiew, DAP national publicity secretary and DAP Selangor chairman
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