No permit issued for DAP dinner today

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KUCHING: A dinner planned by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) for today at Batu Kawah old bazaar has been postponed as the police did not issue the permit yesterday.

District police chief ACP Mun Kock Keong said the decision was made as there were already two pre-approved functions which would also be held today at the same place and time as the dinner.

“One is a religious function organised by a temple there where 200 persons are expected to congregate, while the other is by Chung Hua Association for 500 persons,” said Mun during a press conference at the district police headquarters.

He said the DAP dinner, which was to be held at two restaurants at the bazaar, was to have started at 6.30pm, which was the same time as the other two functions, and was expected to draw a crowd of 800.

Mun explained that if the three functions were to be held at the same time and place, it would result in massive traffic congestion in the Batu Kawah area and would inconvenience local residents.

“Since we had already approved the permits for the other two functions, we had to reject the application from DAP.

“However, the police would have no problem in issuing the permit if the party rescheduled the planned dinner to another day,” said the OCPD, adding that events held without a police permit would violate Sections 27(2) and 27(5) of the Police Act.

Meanwhile, DAP Sarawak secretary Chong Chieng Jen and treasurer Violet Yong met with Mun to discuss the issue after the press conference.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chong said although he felt the reasons given by the police were “flimsy”, he would nevertheless abide by the decision to re-schedule the dinner.

The dinner, themed ‘Solidarity with YB Ting Tze Hui’, is now slated for Nov 27.

Chong, who is Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, also apologised for the postponement to those who had already purchased tickets.

“Those who are unable to attend the dinner next week can get a full refund on their purchased tickets,” he said, adding the DAP will apply for a new police permit for the function next Monday.

He also hoped that the “inconvenience” was not due to any influence on the police by their political rival, SUPP, whom he said was under “great political pressure” from the DAP.

“I will give the police the benefit of the doubt that they had no mala fide in denying our permit, and we will cooperate with them in regards to the new permit application to enable them to show there were no ulterior motives in the initial rejection.”