Wan Junaidi presenting the cheque to the school management board manager Kapitan Kho Nguan Poh (second right) as others look on.
KUCHING: The anti-GST rally that was held on Labour Day in Kuala Lumpur is proof the government still practises democracy despite the aggressive behaviours of several protesters during the event.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said rally participants should understand that the police had taken considerable measures to ensure that no untoward incidents would happen during the event.
“The Peaceful Assembly Act is a statement of freedom of speech to Malaysia, but organisers and participants must understand the rights of others and not just themselves,” said Wan Junaidi, who was met after presenting a cheque to a school at SJK Chung Hua Sungai Buda in Bako yesterday.
He added that reports had shown that the rally caused massive traffic jams in the city centre and that, by itself, had defeated the spirit of a peaceful assembly.
On the incident involving a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and members of the press during the rally, Wan Junaidi said apparently some participants had taken matters into their own hands.
“The public should understand that the media, including photographers, are entitled to their opinions and that is their right. Dissatisfaction towards a media entity due to biased reporting, for instance, should not happen as they have the right to report what they saw.”
He, however, said he was glad no untoward incidents occurred during the event and urged members of the public to understand the real meaning behind democracy.
Earlier at the event, Wan Junaidi said during his first visit to the school in 2004, the school was in a dilapidated condition,
but he was able to get RM500,000 for improvement works.
Meanwhile, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Buda new building committee chairperson Chai Chon Jong said the school was set up in 1932 and were in a bad shape.
Former Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong, who visited the state in 2012, had allocated RM250,000 before the Education Ministry gave another RM100,00.
The cost, according to Jong, had been lowered from around RM500,000 to RM300,000.
“It was due to the assistance given by Lee Onn Construction director Tan Yue Chai, who pledged that he could build the new building at a cost of RM300,000,” said Jong.
The project, upon completion early next year, will benefit over 100 pupils.