Aliran had two separate meetings today with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng over the Bersih 3.0 simultaneous solidarity assembly in Penang.
Aliran reps at the meeting with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng
During the meeting with the Chief Minister at Komtar this morning, the CM confirmed that he would be attending Penang Bersih 3.0 at Speakers’ Square at the Esplanade this Saturday, 28 April.
The CM disclosed he had written a letter to the police stating that the state government had no objection to the event and supports the organisers, Aliran, who are organising the peaceful sit-in. The letter was handed to the organisers to be hand-delivered to the police. In the letter, the CM expressed the hope that the police would ensure the safety and security of those attending the gathering.
In the afternoon, the Aliran representatives met with OCPD Gan and senior police officers at the Northeast District Police Headquarters at Patani Road. At the meeting, they handed over the Chief Minister’s letter to Gan.
ACP Gan mentioned the police did not consider the Penang Bersih 3.0 solidarity assembly a security issue. He said the police would be there to facilitate the flow of traffic and prevent any untoward incident. He added he appreciated that the organisers had informed the police about the event and stated that such a peaceful assembly is allowed in a democratic country in line with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Aliran reiterated that the event was meant to be peaceful.
The society was represented at the meetings today by Dr Francis Loh (president), P Ramakrishnan, Dr Prema Devaraj, Ch’ng Teng Liang, Anil Netto, Henry Loh and Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon, who also sits on the Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee.
Dr Francis Loh
President
24 April 2012
FANTASTIC NEWS !!!
BUT we must sincerely hope police presence + intervention to be be swift, when needed, to nip troublemakers in the bud.
good no need go kl since busy with work, if need pa system let me know FOC
I wonder why the OCPD in Kuala Lumpur cannot behave like the OCPD in Penang. He cited the law and said since it is a peaceful assembly, it is allowed and he will facilitate the gathering.
This is what Malaysians need, a police force that is there to police and help the rakyat and not one that dictate and frustrate Malaysians in exercising their rights in a democratic country.
The whole of Malaysia should follow Pg…government works with the people because they are elected by the people.