Police personnel are seen at the old court house from as early as 9am at the site of the proposed demonstration. Several officers from the Special Branch Unit are also seen manning key areas along the Kuching Waterfront.
KUCHING: The so-called rally to protest the appointment of Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as Head of State yesterday did not materialise after all.
Though it was reported the protestors would assemble at the old courthouse complex here, the few people seen are policemen patrolling and groundkeepers cleaning the area.
Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) anchor man Peter John Jaban, who happened to be there, expressed his disappointment that there was no ‘democratic will’ during the appointment of former chief minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to become the Head of State.
According to him, there are ample candidates from outside the political realm who should be given the opportunity to assume the role as the Head of State.
“It is not necessary for a politician to be the Head of State as long as the person is clean and free from any form of criticism,” said Peter when met by thesundaypost at the Kuching Waterfront yesterday.
According to him, anyone such as an imam, bishop, priest, former police commissioner, former army general, business man or a vegetable seller can become the Head of State.
“You must be clean to become a governor otherwise a lot of people will criticise about you,” said Peter who is also known as ‘Papa Orang Utan’ on RFS which is broadcast from London.
He also said there are several blogs and news portals which touch on Taib’s alleged abuse of power and corruption cases which are still under investigation.
On another note, he also rebuked a recent statement made by Semop assemblyman Abdullah Saidol who said that most Sarawakians want Taib to succeed Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin.
“Taib was appointed as the Head of State, not elected. How could he (Saidol) come up with a statement saying that most people agreed and wanted Taib to become the Head of State,” he said.
He also claimed that the opposition in Sarawak has won the most popular votes during the last state election.
Meanwhile, the proposed peace demonstration which was slated to be held at the old court house yesterday according to Peter has got nothing to do with him or his group.
“I have no idea who is behind today’s (yesterday) demonstration as there is a lot of non-governmental organisations out there,” he added.
He was however quick to admit of taking part in the brief peaceful demonstration which was held within the vicinity of a few shopping malls here on Friday. The demonstration, he enthused, is more of a freedom of expression and a freedom of speech which is in fact constitutional.
“As soon as we are born, we are entitled to talk and give a speech,” said Peter adding further that he personally did not believe in a big demonstration to relay the right message to the right people.