Cops ready to stop illegal rallies

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Those behind the planned protests have been identified, and risk getting arrested

KUCHING: The police are ready to act against any illegal rallies here in the next few days.

Deputy Kuching Police chief DSP Amihizam Abdul Shukor said the organisers and people behind the planned illegal rallies had been identified and the police would apprehend them if they carried out their plans.

“I urge everybody to work with the police and obey the Public Assembly Act 2012 ,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Amihizam said that the police had been compiling reports made  by various bodies against the illegal rallies.

Since Friday, various associations have lodged police reports against those inviting the public to public demonstrations set to be held today and on New Year’s Eve.

The Peninsula-based Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) had announced that it would hold a demonstration in front of Chief Minister’s residence to call for his resignation today.

SAMM founder Badrul Hisham Shahrin or Che’Gubard had claimed the campaign would not involve street protests but more of an awareness drive.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Anak Muda Sarawak (PAMS) was said to be planning a rally at Padang Merdeka on New Year’s Eve.

Though PAMS had said the protest would be against the rising cost of living, it is believed that it would actually be a call to overthrow the government.

Meanwhile ,Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PPB) Satok Branch youth chief Iskandar Sharkawi who led PBB Youth Kuching Zone in lodging a report at Central Police Station yesterday, condemned the illegal rallies which could  threaten the security and peace of the city.

Speaking to reporters, Iskandar said that the PBB viewd the planned rallies as an irresponsible actions and against the law.

Earlier he led a group of PBB Youth members from Semariang, Pantai Damai and Tupong to lodge the police report.

“We want the relevant authorities to stop the illegal rallies as they could create havoc in the city,” he said.

Iskandar also wanted the authority to act against a Kuching man using Facebook account to encourage people to join the protest against price hike of goods and services on the night of Dec 3  starting from 11pm onward at Padang Merdeka.

He said the illegal rally by these organisers would further burden the police as they could be better deployed elsewhere in the city to combat crimes.