Penang Suaram coordinator Ong Jing Cheng, who was assaulted by a group of rowdy youths at the Speakers Square last Sunday, has given police evidence of those who caused the ruckus.

Ong said he has submitted the evidence - photographs and a video clip - of the incident to the police when he lodged a report at the Northeast District police headquarters at Jalan Pattani last night.

However, Ong did not wan to reveal the names and organisations of the perpetrators, adding that these would also be submitted to the police.

"The evidence shows that the police too were pushed about during the incident, so we are asking them to investigate and take the appropriate action on the culprits," he said.

Ong (right) was speaking at a press conference at Komtar today, which was jointly called by the Penang government and the Abolish the Sedition Act Movement, which is also known by its acronym in Malay, GHAH.

"The police must protect those who go to the Speakers Square to express their views. They can separate the different groups with different views, but must not allow violence to disrupt the events," he added.

Ong and several activists, including a British couple who stopped by to watch the rally, were aggressively heckled, pushed and chased away from the field, disrupting the peaceful gathering of about 20 people.

Members of Umno Youth from Tanjong and Persatuan Mukabuku were part of the noisy group that used a loud hailer - which is not permitted at the Speakers Square - to disrupt the rally.

'Maintain sanctity of Speakers Corner'

While the police were present, they did not stop the violence, but escorted the activists from the field.

Penang social reform movement Aliran spokesperson Prema Devaraj urged the state government and municipal council to protect and maintain the sanctity of the Speakers Corner, which was launched on May 5, 2010, for members of the public to express their views without fear.

"We have identified these individuals and intend to publish their images in the media.

"Let the wheels of justice turn for those who seek to violate and destroy the very thing that allows us to live with dignity and freedom," Prema ( left ) said.

Northern region Bersih coordinator Toh Kin Woon called on the people to reject the violent group and to pressure the police to act.

"The police have an important role to play in protecting this public place. So far we are disappointed, it is not realistic for us to ask others to maintain peace and security in the area," said the former Gerakan state executive councillor, who was also physically pushed by the angry mob.

Attackers disrupted other events, too

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary Wong Hon Wai said the people's public space had been "hijacked" by the group, whose members were spotted disrupting other peaceful gatherings in the past.

Wong ( left ) recalled that the group also disrupted the anti-Lynas rally by Himpunan Hijau on Feb 26, 2012, and was seen involved in the forced intrusion of the Penang Legislative Assembly in May this year.

"I will be bringing this issue up for discussion at the state assembly (when begins sitting on Nov 7) to discuss guidelines and measures we can take to safeguard our freedom of expression," he added.

Also present at the press conference were Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and Machang Bubok assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon.

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