PETALING JAYA, May 8th- PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said tonight’s rally will go on as the police have been formally informed.
“I am aware of the statement made by Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar with regard to the ‘Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat’ rally that will be held at the Kelana Jaya stadium from 8.30pm tonight,” said Rafizi in reference to the IGP’s statement that the rally is illegal.
The newly-elected Pandan MP added that in accordance with the IGP’s call, PKR through its communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had already informed the related police station formally of tonight’s rally.
“This is in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act that does not require for a permit to be applied for, rather, the police just needs to be informed.
“I have faith in the police force’s sincerity under the command of Ismail to appreciate the people’s right to assemble, as what that has been shown in previous rallies.
“Therefore I urge as many Malaysians as possible who are demanding for a fair election and who are against electoral fraudulence to come together and wear black tonight at the Kelana Jaya stadium,” he said.
Rafizi also criticised those who were attempting to scare the people, especially non-Malays, saying that tonight’s rally will cause racial friction.
He claimed that a few SMSes have been circulating, associating tonight’s rally with the May 13 incident.
Rafizi said he will be lodging a police report with the Tropicana police station today for the authorities to investigate those that have tried to create chaos by playing racial sentiment.
Tian Chua: What’s the problem?
Echoing Rafizi’s sentiments, PKR vice-president Tian Chua said it was not an illegal rally as it was not a street protest.
“We are gathering in a stadium, which is an indoor venue. The stadium belongs to the state government and the management has given us approval. So what’s the problem?” asked Tian Chua.
The Batu MP added that the gathering was not a threat to public order as it was a peaceful rally.
“My advise to the IGP is that uphold your duty to maintain order and stop being subservient to an illegitimate government,” said Tian Chua.
The rally planned by Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim is to highlight the alleged fraud and irregularities of the Election Commission and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak during the 13th general election.
