KUCHING: Movement of Change Sarawak’s (MoCS) rally tomorrow (Aug 13) will proceed as planned despite failure to obtain a police permit because only three members will take to the street.
“As three persons do not constitute an illegal assembly – only myself, MoCS steering committee member Baharuddin Mokhsen and MoCS Jepak coordinator Awang Abdillah Nasar – will be at the Museum Garden here at 2pm to demonstrate,” said MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah.
Siah said failure to obtain a police permit after two attempts would not stop their original intention.
“Our original plan this Saturday will go on. We have declared many times that we are a responsible organisation and all our activities are within the confines of the law.
“We will lay wreath at the Cenotaph to honour fallen heroes who fought for Sarawak’s liberty and freedom, say prayers and unveil the 10-point declaration of MoCS for political reforms in Sarawak,” he added.
Siah said the 10-point declaration was a very important document as it was also a blueprint for MoCS agenda for change in the state.
“We have also asked various religious organisations in the state to conduct simultaneous prayers at 5pm on the same day and we will hold a ‘buka puasa’ at Didi Restaurant at Jalan Kulas in Satok,” said Siah, who also encouraged non-Muslims to join the event (breaking of fast)
On a related matter, Siah explained that he had contacted friends and supporters from outside Kuching to cancel their trip to Kuching for the (rally) event.
“So far, 180 from Sri Aman, 60 from Miri, 12 from Sibu, six from Kota Kinabalu and two representatives from BERSIH in Kuala Lumpur have confirmed their participation. We have even booked hotel rooms for them. However, I wish to state here that we do not coerce people to attend the ‘Red Rally’,” he said.
When asked if they would still come, Siah said: “I cannot stop them from coming as there will only be the three of us. The police should not waste public money by going there (Museum Garden) and deploy the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and their water cannons”.
Siah held a press conference at Kuching International Airport here at 2.45pm yesterday to supposedly welcome MoCS advisor Dato Salleh Jafaruddin, who however did not show upon Siah’s advice to cancel the trip.