PKR ready to meet cops for peaceful Jan 9 rally

By Debra Chong

January 05, 2012

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — PKR’s Azmin Ali said today his party is ready to meet and talk with both Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and the Inspector-General of Police about next week’s planned rally in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the latter’s Sodomy II verdict day.

Azmin said the police should protect the demonstrators’ right to assemble. — File pic

Yesterday, the home minister suggested the authorities would allow the city demonstration to be held provided PKR guaranteed public peace and order. IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar said he had ordered his boys in blue to meet and discuss with the rally organisers.

 

“This is the best chance for the home minister and Inspector-General of Police to restore the image of the police and return police confidence to the police institution in line with the prime minister’s promise to implement political reform in his administration,” the PKR deputy president said.

He welcomed today the authorities’ statements but called on the police to also protect the demonstrators’ right to assemble.

“The right to assemble peacefully is in line with the spirit of the constitution. It is one of the basics of a democratic country,” Azmin said in a statement today.

“We hope the violent incidents at UPSI and Bersih do not repeat,” the Gombak MP added, referring to the student rally at the Sultan Idris University of Education campus in Tajung Malim on New Year’s Day and last year’s massive electoral reform rally in the capital.

The authorities were accused of applying unnecessary force to control the demonstrators. Anwar, who is PKR’s de facto chief, was charged with sodomising a former male aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in 2008. The High Court is set to announce its decision on Monday.

He faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty, which will effectively end his political career and chance to be prime minister.

Azmin has called on PKR members and supporters of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact to turn up in large numbers at the Jalan Duta Court Complex here to show support for the 64-year-old leader and to protest against the state’s political machinations.