The oganisers of a mass demonstration in protest of Malaysia’s impending entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) in Dataran Merdeka on Saturday will go on as planned, depsite the Royal Malaysian Police’s suggestion that it be relocated.
Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah told The Malay Mail‘s Ushar Daniele that even after the PDRM suggested the demonstration be moved to Padang Merbok, organisers of the “Perhimpunan Aman Bantah TPPA” (“Peaceful Assembly in Protest of the TPPA”) insisted on holding the event in Dataran Merdeka.
“They said holding in on the field (Padang Merbok) would not meet their goals, so I advised them to complete their application with the consent of Kuala Lumpur City Hall to use Dataran Merdeka,” Zainol said yesterday.
He added that the demonstration, which is expected to run from 2.30pm to 5pm, had not yet received police approval.
The police also reminded all participants on Saturday to abide by the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and not to bring minors with them.
The anti-TPPA rally will see protesters gathering in Maju Junction, Masjid Negara, Masjid Jamek and Jalan Raja Laut before taking public transportation – not marching – to Dataran Merdeka.
On top of expected police presence, rally organisers say that they have put together their own security team to manage the flow of traffic on Saturday.
