Street rallies in Kuala Lumpur indefinitely banned, police say
KUALA LUMPUR: City police indefinitely banned outdoor public rallies in the
Malaysian capital after activists protested earlier this month against curbs
on an opposition newspaper, a news report said Sunday.
"In view of recent events, we have decided to put on hold all applications
seeking permission for public rallies," Deputy Police Commissioner
Kamaruddin Ali was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper. The ban took
effect immediately. Public gatherings of more than four people in the
Southeast Asian nation require a police permit. Laws also exist that bar
student activity in politics. Students caught at street protests or at
political meetings could face expulsion. "We will not hesitate to take stern
action against those who defy orders, as we have given ample warning,"
Kamaruddin said. He did not give the length of the ban, which covers all
political and non-political rallies in public places. Indoor speeches, which
also require police permission, would be considered on a case-by-case basis,
he said.
Kamaruddin linked the ban to a rally held at the capital's National Mosque
on March 14, where about 200 people staged a brief, peaceful protest against
government restrictions on the country's most popular opposition tabloid,
Harakah. He said police had received complaints that non-Muslims had mingled
with Muslims on the mosque grounds during the protest and were concerned
that such incidents could provoke racial or religious problems. The nation
is comprised of mostly Malay Muslims, Buddhist and Christian Chinese and
Hindu Indians.
The government's decision in early March to amend Harakah's permit and
restrict its circulation from twice a week to twice monthly drew criticism
from international and local rights groups. Harakah is published by the
powerful Islamic opposition party, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party. Analysts
viewed the curbs as a way for the government to muzzle the feisty tabloid,
which has seen sales skyrocket since Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired
his deputy Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. Anwar's ouster triggered unprecedented
anti-government rallies and Harakah quickly became the forum for
anti-government discussion.
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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