Ipoh supporters of the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) have today lodged a police report against deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar for issuing a directive - allegedly with political interests - to stop all candlelight vigil gatherings nationwide on Sunday.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) national deputy chief M Saraswathy, PSM Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar and state PKR vice-chief Chang Lih Kang lodged the report at the Ipoh district headquarters at about 11.30am.

DAP state assistant secretary V Sivakumar and other PSM state leaders were also present.

NONE Jeyakumar alleged afterwards, “A political decision had been taken on the part of Ismail to issue the directive to ban such peaceful marches which was highlighted by Star and RTM on Saturday.

“The proper role of the police force in a democratically symbolic protest against ISA is to observe peacefully and ensure that other groups do not cause problems and trouble to the marchers.

“If our peaceful candlelight vigil at Ipoh City Council field on Sunday had caused a public disturbance then the police have the right to disperse us,” he said.

On Sunday night as the event was about to begin, the police had dispersed the anti-ISA supporters from the field without stating any reasons for such action.

The move forced the protestors to relocate their vigil to the Parkson building, but the police intervened again 30 minutes later and dispersed the protestors.

    

Police action ‘undemocratic’

“After 52 years of independence, to issue a blanket ban in a democratic society on such peaceful vigils where the safety of the public is preserved is not right and democratic,” said Jeyakumar.

psm declare asset 120309 jeyakumar “This (deployment of police personnel at the event) is a waste of public resources and a misuse of public funds,” said the Sungai Siput MP.

However, PSM does not blame the lower ranking police officers for carrying out their duties, acknowledging that they were merely following orders allegedly issued by the second-most senior official in the force.

Jeyakumar ( right ) said this poses difficulty and a dilemma for the police personnel, who have little experience in handling such delicate situations peacefully.

He recommends that top police officers attend training sessions on human rights and the role of law enforcement in a democracy, in order to ensure that they are able to safeguard the constitutional rights of every Malaysian.

‘Between rakyat and BN’

Vocal PKR state leader Chang meanwhile said, “The vigil on Sunday in Ipoh has nothing to do with the police, but is an issue between the BN government and the public over their constitutional rights.

NONE “The police should not intervene unless a problem in public security arises ,or (security) is threatened. Their intervention is illegal and unprofessional.

“The government should set up a special task force or commission to handle this case (the present complaint against the police), as this involves the second highest police officer in the country,” Chang ( left ) said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had been reported as saying that the law on illegal gatherings will remain until the relevant legislation is amended and passed in Parliament.