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M’sian police to probe pro-govt rally organisers over racial slurs

KUALA LUMPUR — The organisers of a massive pro-government rally earlier this week will be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act, the Malaysian police announced yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR — The organisers of a massive pro-government rally earlier this week will be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act, the Malaysian police announced yesterday.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Tajuddin Md Isa said 15 reports have been lodged following the rally held on Wednesday. While he confirmed that the organisers will be investigated, but did not specify who will be called up to have their statements recorded.

Relevant sections of the Peaceful Assembly Act states that a district police chief may impose restrictions and conditions on an assembly for the purpose of security or public order. Those found to have failed to comply with the restrictions and conditions will be liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000 (S$3,300).

A day before the rally, Malaysian media had reported on the 12 conditions imposed by the police as part of its approval for the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu or “red shirt” rally, organised to show support for Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is battling allegations of graft and mismanagement at indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The rally is seen by some as a challenge to the country’s Chinese- and Indian-origin residents, who on Aug 29 and 30 participated in large numbers in an anti-Najib rally organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0.

Among the conditions listed were the barring of pamphlets or placards touching on sensitive topics and the ban on speeches that touch on racial and religious sensitivities. Earlier yesterday, several reports were lodged by various political parties over allegedly racially charged and purportedly seditious slogans, placards and banners that were spotted at the rally, including calls to abolish the Chinese vernacular schools.

Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday vowed that action will be taken over racial slurs made. “I warned them before the rally that they should not cross the line by making racial insults or carry banners that disparage other races and undermine peace,” he said. “So don’t kick up a fuss when we investigate.”

Meanwhile, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan yesterday said the rally organisers will be charged RM38,000 for clean-up work after the event. “I just got confirmation from Alam Flora (a waste management firm) that the clean-up bill for Red Demo is RM38k. The bill will be sent to Red Demo organisers,” he tweeted, referring to the protesters clad in red shirts.

Sungai Besar United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) chief Jamal Md Yunos, who heads the coalition of Malay non-government organisations that took part in the rally said yesterday the organisers are prepared to pay damages incurred.

Earlier in the day, Mr Abdul Rahman highlighted that the protesters had left behind a rubbish trail, but claimed that there was no smell of urine left behind this time in comparison to the Bersih rally last month.

“Yes there were rubbish. But unlike Bersih demo, this time the bad smell of urine was not evident.” AGENCIES

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