The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has warned those who plan on participating in tomorrow’s “Peaceful Assembly in Protest of the TPPA” that they should steer clear of Dataran Merdeka, the intended rally point.
Instead, protesters tomorrow should proceed to make their way to nearby Padang Merbok – or risk facing the PDRM’s wrath.
Dang Wangi OCPD, ACP Zainol Samah told The Star Online that the police would not hesitate to law down the law on protesters who act out of turn, and urged protesters gathering in the city centre tomorrow to converge on Padang Merbok instead of Dataran.
Puzzlingly, Zainol would not say one way or the other if tomorrow’s demonstration, regardless of whether it is held in Dataran or Padang Merbok, was legal.
“I cannot say whether (the rally) is legal or not. It is called a peaceful rally, so it must be peaceful. If it is not peaceful, then police will have to investigate,” he said.
“For example, if the participants bring children, some participants cause provocation or march on the streets. That is wrong. If there are such incidents, police have to investigate. It depends on whether the participants break the law or not.”
Earlier today, KL Mayor Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said City Hall had rejected the organisers’ application to hold the rally in Dataran Merdeka.
