KOTA KINABALU: Police have reminded organizers of any peaceful public rally to inform them, especially the police chief, so that a proper approach could be followed in maintaining order under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said police would not stop any organizers from holding a peaceful rally, but they have to adhere to the law.
“We will provide facilities for them (organizers) but they must remember that they are not allowed to stage any illegal street demonstration and should only assemble at an identified and proposed location,” he said when met during a visit to Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas yesterday.
Hamza said he had already briefed the city police chief on what regulations that must be complied with by organizers.
He also reminded organisers to inform the police in advance so that arrangement could be made for personnel to control traffic flow at the site where a peaceful rally is to be held.
It was reported that the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) is planning to hold Bersih 3.0 peaceful gathering at Padang Merdeka here on April 28.
Some other organisations, including Bela Tanah Rakyat Sabah (TABAH), are said to be expected to take part in the gathering.
Meanwhile, Hamza said the Sabah police contingent is ready to mobilise 10,000 officers and personnel to maintain order during the impending 13th general election, which is expected to be held soon.
He said officers and personnel from all departments would be involved in the GE, and they include Narcotics Department, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, (CID) General Operations Force (GOF), Marine Police and Police Air Wing.
“We are always prepared and ready to face any general election, including in terms of human resources and logistics.
“We have to be prepared because we will not have any support from other states as all states will be involved in the general election
“Even if we get support from Bukit Aman, it is just a small number of officers or personnel,” he added.