KUALA LUMPUR, June 23- The opposition’s rally in protest to the results of the 13th general election here today became protracted as some of the participants decided to set up tents in Padang Merbok and refused to leave.
This situation contravened the organisers’ pledge to hold a series of peaceful gatherings, which was supposed to end in the city today, as the opposition Members of Parliament had agreed to take their oath of office on Monday.
Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief coordinator Badrul Hisham Shahrin said 10 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had set up 60 tents in Padang Merbok here after the Blackout 505 rally in protest of the Election Commission’s (EC) procedures in handling the 13th polls.
He said the protestors, comprising 245 members of the NGOs and politicians, including Batu MP Tian Chua, who is also PKR vice-president, vowed to stay in their tents until their demands were met.
Among the NGOs are SAMM, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU), Gabungan Profesional Menuntut Royalti, Hak Pendaratan Minyak dan Gas ke Kelantan (Royalti), Jeritan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Ambang 13, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), AMUK and Pembebasan Bangsa dan Pertubuhan Angkatan Belia Bersama Ulama (PANGLIMA).
PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his speech at the rally said the opposition would continue holding the rally until their demands were met by the Election Commission (EC).
He said the three demands were for the EC top leadership to step down, for by-elections to be held in the constituencies where the opposition had lost and to stop the redelineation of election boundaries.
Also present at the rally were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Azmin Ali, Johor PKR chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chua Jui Meng and PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu.
The protestors had clearly violated the Peaceful Gathering Act 2012 as they also brought children below the age of 15 to participate in the rally.
Meanwhile, several members of the public slammed the organisers for holding the rally.
Raja Nur Aina Raja Hussin Shah, 30, said the rally was indeed an immature and unprofessional move.
“This rally has only caused problems to the public as we were the ones who suffered traffic congestions. I personally got stuck in bad traffic in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,” said the woman when met at Medan Mara here.
A student of International Islamic University of Malaysia, Khairun Nizam Hosen, 22, said the rally should not have been organised as it could only affect public order.
“It will tarnish the country’s image and show that the people are keen on protesting and expressing their feelings through illegal channels.
“This will inadvertently influence the students and the young generation,” he said.
Roslan Rusli, 29, on the other hand, said the protestors should use the right channel to express their dissatisfaction, instead of inculcating street demonstration culture among the people.
“Our country is known for being peaceful despite having a multi-racial society. Let’s not destroy the reputation,” he added.
– BERNAMA
