The authorities have denied approving the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) rally planned for Saturday in Kuching although its organisers claim otherwise.

Kuching police chief ACP Mun Kock Keong said that the police has yet to correspond officially with the organisation with regards to its permit application, reports Bernama .

francis siah uncensored nurul izzah interview 020608 07 MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah ( right ) said they had agreed to fulfill the two conditions set by the police.

But Mun said the police had not set any prerequisites and were still looking into the application, according to Bernama .

The denial comes in light of a statement from rally organisers that they plan to go ahead with the "Walk for Democracy and Reform" as MoCS has fulfilled the requirements set by the police.

"We remain hopeful for a police permit," said Siah.

Stationary rally

According to him, the police had informed the organisation that they were only allowed to host a stationary rally with no march or procession and that the application for the permit must be made through a registered organisation.

"We have agreed that we would only station ourselves at the Museum Ground near the Cenotaph where we would hold a wreath laying ceremony in honour of the fallen heroes of Sarawak," said Siah.

He added that MoCS also fulfilled the second prerequisite, that it is an registered organisation and licensed to operate legally.

NONE Siah said there five speakers have been scheduled to give speeches including two former deputy education ministers - Salleh Jafaruddin ( left ) and Bujang Ulis. Patriotic songs would be sung and a multi-religious prayer session would also be held.

Several quarters have criticised the rally and have urged Siah to cancel it in respect of the fasting month.

Siah said that he would be visiting the newly appointed Sarawak Commissioner of Police, Mortadza Nazarene tomorrow.

"While we have heeded the advice from the police, I hope they would also listen to our voices. We have assured them that the event will be peaceful. We must believe and trust in the strength and discipline of Sarawakians that we are a mature and non-violent citizenry," he said.

"We expect the police to be professional and they have to act within the law too. Hopefully, they will not take instructions blindly from political leaders in Sarawak," added Siah.

Dubbed as the " Red Rally " MoCS is expected to unveil its 10-point declaration which will be the movement's ‘blueprint for democratic reforms in Sarawak'.