See sees red as govt denies MoCS right to gather

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KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state publicity chief See Chee How yesterday strongly denounced the ‘abuse of power’ by the government by checking the people’s rights to hold a peaceful gathering.

“We (PKR) are disappointed with such actions. All Malaysians have a moral and righteous duty to safeguard their constitutional rights and demand good governance from the elected government,” he told a press conference.

He said the government’s tactic was made obvious when the ruling government instructed all of its “control machinery” such as the police force, the mass media and other government institutions to inhibit Malaysians from exercising their constitutional rights.

He said the MoCS rally, scheduled for today, was thwarted by failure to get a permit and was considered a threat to peace.

“Even some schools in the city were instructed to post announcements and notice of postponement of school activities, fearing that bad things may happen,” said the Batu Lintang assemblyman.

He added that Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and certain senior police officers had tried to amplify the riot occurring in London and equating the Bersih rally to that unwelcomed situation.

“It is obvious to all Malaysians that the Bersih 2.0 rally (in July) was a peaceful and non-violent gathering. There were no damages reported by shop proprietors,” he added.

See also said that PKR members yesterday were presented by the Magistrate Court with an order restraining them from gathering at the museum ground, the proposed MoCS rally venue.

The order was also directed at 10 notable PKR members, including Awang Abdillah Awang Nasar, Datuk Salleh Jafaruddin, Datuk Bujang Ulis, Mohd Salleh Shaik Ahmed, See Chee How, Mark Chin Fook Lai, Alphonsus Kuek Swee Tan and Mahsor Hossen.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who was also present, echoed See Chow’s statement saying that there was only one casualty from the gathering as a result of police aggression and hostility.

“The government propaganda was widely publicised in the papers showing the police demonstrating the use of force, including the use of water cannons and tear-gas.”

“I encourage them (MoCS members) to continue with the march even though I will not be around to join them,” Zuraida said.