KUCHING: The police have advised the organisers of Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S)’s Freedom and Independence Walk not to continue with their gathering today for the sake of maintaining public order and safety.
According to a press statement issued by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Dato Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, the advice came about after the police received information that some quarters were planning to use the gathering as a platform to instigate sentiments to exit the Malaysian Federation.
He stressed that such instigations clashed with the Malaysian Constitution and that the police will not hesitate to take action against the organiser and committee members under existing laws.
Despite the IGP’s warning, the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) in collaboration with S4S will go on with their gathering at Song Kheng Hai Recreation Field today at 7.30am.
When contacted yesterday, state PKR vice chairman See Chee How said he and several party members will be attending the rally at Song Kheng Hai Recreation Field.
On the IGP’s warning, See said: “The IGP should stop witch hunting, trying to label the gathering organised by the civil societies to commemorate Sarawak’s independence day as secession.”
The Batu Lintang assemblyman said he believed that the IGP was trying to blur the difference of the state demanding what it is rightly and legitimately entitled with treason.
“He (the IGP) should check with his officers in the Sarawak police force to know that until today, there is a growing awareness of the neglect and violation of the state’s rights. No one is asking for secession,” he pointed out.
“I trust that the organisers will ensure that the gathering will be peaceful and that there won’t be the slightest threat of secession at the gathering,” he stressed.
Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem as well as several cabinet ministers are expected to attend a rally at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Petra Jaya here. The rally is themed ‘July 22 Sarawak Merdeka’.
See claimed that he was not aware if he was invited to the rally at DUN. Meanwhile, at 5.30pm today, the state PKR will be launching its ‘20-point Roadmap For A New Sarawak’ for the next state election apart from the ‘All for Sarawak’ campaign in conjunction with the commemoration of Sarawak’s 52nd Independence Day at Grand Continental Hotel here.