Sabah activists declared today the 60km march from Tambunan to Penampang demanding clean and fair elections and indigenous rights will proceed, whether they get the green light from the police or not.

Dubbed ‘Idle No More', the march will begin in Tambunan town at 9am on Friday and end at the Pagansakan Hall in Inobong, Penampang, at 2pm on Sunday.

NONE Anne Lasimbang, who initiated the walk, said although they had met all the requirements set by the authorities, they were worried that the police might still treat it as an illegal assembly.

Lasimbang, who is executive director of NGO Partners in Community Organisations (Pacos) revealed they had informed the authorities of the event, only to be told to apply for a permit, despite the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 not requiring it.

"Whether we have the permit or not, it will proceed. We do not care. But the police did tell us they might allow it if there are no problems.

"Maybe there would be road blocks, maybe the police would say the march is illegal. But we will proceed. Although the police have not said anything yet, I feel they will suddenly say this is an illegal march," she said when contacted.

'No ordinary march'

Lasimbang revealed that police from Keningau and Penampang - areas the march would cover - have said it would not be an ordinary march, that there were reasons behind it, so they asked the organisers to apply for a permit.

NONE She added they had done so and faxed the forms to the police yesterday.

The walk brands itself as a "people's campaign" to provide a platform for ordinary Sabahans to voice their concerns on various issues prior to the next general election.

The organisers have also released a declaration demanding good governance, environmental protection, recognition of indigenous rights, fairness to all and clean and fair elections.

Lasimbang said 20 people have so far agreed to join the march.

She welcomed members of both the BN and Pakatan Rakyat to participate, but so far only PKR and DAP have given their commitment.