I strongly criticize the city police who got court order to ban peaceful assembly in Kota Kinabalu on 1st of May and violated the right of peaceful assembly granted in constitution.
According to news report, City police chief assistant commissioner of police M. Chandra said the magistrate court’s order covers five main open areas in the city including the Padang Merdeka, City Park, Segama waterfront, Dataran Bandaraya and Taman Chong Thien Vun and its surroundings. Nobody is allowed to enter these areas.
It is totally unacceptable and unnecessary. Such nuisance act against the organizer and people had proven and justified that Malaysia is indeed a police state whereas freedom of people was exploited.
The ban totally disrespect the democracy and freedom enjoyed by the people. It is very sad and disappointed to see the police went insane to oppress and suppress the ordinary people who merely want to voice out their right as well as express their views freely without fear.
In fact the organizer only appeal for 2 hours peaceful assembly but the police is seemingly overreacting to block all activities in field from 27th to 4th May. Is that really necessary and to get court order injunction? Why police so afraid of people assemble peacefully? The Insane act of police now is no different than a Communist state! Police as public servants should serve for the benefit of people and protect the people!
The city police of Kota Kinabalu had displayed a court order and notice to block 16 politicians as well as social activist including organizer and my colleagues namely Jimmy Wong, MP Kota Kinabalu and Dr Edwin Bosi, ADUN Kapayan.
It has shown that how these laws like Peaceful Assembly Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act as well as Sedition Act have violated the freedom and right of people and given absolute power to police to punish people unreasonably. That’s the reason why Pakatan Rakyat MPs have been consistently and repeatedly reject these bills.
I urge the police to stop act of nuisance and disturbing the people who are practicing right as granted in constitution. Instead of oppressing the people, the police should play a role to guide and assist the people in assembly.