Selangor CPO: Stay away from Sunday's rally - The Sun

SHAH ALAM: Jul 3, 2008 By Charles Ramendran

Police today warned that stern action awaits those who take part in a planned rally to protest the recent fuel price hike organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) for Sunday at a field opposite Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the rally is illegal as it's organisers have not applied for a police permit.

He said he had met with the Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on Tuesday and discussed the difficulties the rally may cause to the public, should it go on.

The police chief said the venue of the gathering could cause major traffic issues as the place was confined with narrow roads.

He said police had suggested to the Mentri Besar that the rally should alternatively be held at either the Shah Alam stadium or Melewati stadium here.

He said the Mentri Besar told him he would consider the police suggestion, but to date, he had yet to revert to the police.

"I hope those who are planning to turn up will stay away from the gathering which is illegal," said Khalid at a community policing programme launch by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd at it's head office at the Temasya Industrial Park near Glenmarie.

"Our personnel are prepared for the event and action will be taken if our orders to leave the area are defied."

Keadilan vice president Azmin Ali when contacted welcomed the state police chief's suggestion

He said in a dicussion with his party it was agreed the rally be held at the Shah Alam stadium as the indoor Melewati stadium was not large enough and could only accomodate about 15,000 people.

However, he said the suggestion could not materialise as the Sultan Selangor Cup soccer match between Malaysia and Singapore will be held at the Shah Alam stadium on the same day.

"It coincides with the match and we do not was to disrupt this programme. We are expecting a large turnout for the rally and there may be inadequate parking lots for the rally participants and football fans." he said.

He said the rally themed the "One Million Rally" as the organisers are expecting a million people to turn up will see a list of events including concerts and family-orientated events.

"We expect a large turnout due to the fuel hike and recent political developments. The people are enraged by what is happening. There will be no marching. The people will gather and the organiser will address the crowd on current issues.

I hope the police will cooperate with the organisers and help in managing the traffic conditions on the day. We do not want any provocations from either side. We want it to go on smoothly and peacefully." Azmin added