Over 220 NGOs want rally organiser, troublemakers charged

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KUALA LUMPUR: More than 220 Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have urged the attorney-general (AG) and police to quickly take legal action against organisers of Saturday’s violent rally.

The NGOs under the Malay Consultative Council (MPM) also urged the AG to prosecute troublemakers behind the chaotic rally backed by the opposition.

“The objective of the rally was to express views on electoral reforms but some individuals with a hidden agenda were out to create trouble,” MPM secretary-general Dr Hassan Mad told a press conference yesterday.

MPM political committee member Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Hilmi Ismail said the AG should take firm action to contain increasing violence during the rally, the third in the series.

He said street demonstrations disrupted public order, violated the court order prohibiting the public from entering Dataran Merdeka, led to rioting and violated provisions under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011.

“There is clear evidence of participants attacking police, throwing objects at police cars and assaulting a traffic policeman who fell off his motorcycle.

“The violent participants were wearing masks to avoid detection by authorities, proving that there was a plan to commit acts of violence from the start.”

Mohd Hilmi said it is unnecessary to establishment an independent body to investigate acts of violence during the rally as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

“The images and video recordings during the incident are adequate to charge the rally organisers. The government must act firmly and expedite the prosecution process,” he added.

MPM represents 2.5 million members from 228 Malay NGOs.

MPM security bureau chairman Tan Sri Shamsuri Arshad said MPM did not oppose the people’s right to assemble but violence should be contained to preserve peace and national security.

“The rally organisers used crowd psychology to gain support. The number of participants does not reflect the real view of the majority of Malaysians who want peace,” said Shamsuri, a former deputy inspector-general of police.— Bernama