Johor Bahru should be considered by international and Singaporean activists for hosting activities coinciding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank meet in Singapore, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat Johor Bahru division chief Abd Razak Ahmad.

He was responding to Singapore's blanket ban on public protests and refusal to allow at least 28 activists from various countries from entering the city state during the meeting period which begins tomorrow.

"From here, we can act as a facilitator for their programs and provide them with the necessary facilities which are cheaper and better than those in Batam," said Razak when contacted.

Indonesia's industrial and tourist island of Batam - a 40-minute boat ride from Singapore - is now the alternate venue as the staging point for the traditional protest forum by international activist groups to coincide with the annual IMF/World Bank meet.

Singapore officials argued that such activities in their country poses security concerns as similar protests in the past had turned violent, a charge which activists said was an excuse to curb dissent.

When contacted, Johor Bahru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Roslan Ahmad said he was unable to comment as to whether the police would allow such activities in Johor Bahru, as the decision lies with the national police headquarters and the government.

Protests will go on

Meanwhile, Singapore Democratic Party secretary-general Dr Chee Soon Juan said Singaporeans should not resort to exercising their rights to free speech in a peaceful assembly in another country.

"Singaporeans will campaign for democracy for our country in our country," said Chee, who is organising a protest rally slated for this Saturday without the mandatory police permit.

"As for the international NGOs, they are taking a practical course in learning about the dictatorial system in Singapore... Only an insecure government will ban civilians from expressing themselves," said the staunch opposition leader in an email reply.

Seven hundred participants representing more than 70 groups from about 40 countries are expected to take part in the International People's Forum vs the IMF and World Bank (IPF) in Batam which begins on Friday.

Chris Wangkay of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid) and steering committee of the Batam forum expressed surprise when told about Razak's offer.

He said the necessary plans were already made for the Batam meet and that public protests against the IMF/World Bank meet would be held in three separate provinces across Indonesia on Sept 18.

However, there will be no street protests in Batam as the authorities had not given the green light, he said.

"We will even try to hold a protest in Singapore as we were promised by the World Bank a place and space to hold demonstrations," said Wangkay when contacted.

Reps from Malaysia

The IPF gathering is scheduled for Sept 15 to 17 while the IMF-World Bank meet will begin on Sept 14 to 20.

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Sharir Syed Mahmud confirmed that he and several congress officials would be attending the forum.

"When member states (of the IMF/World Bank meet) formulate policies without consulting the people, it will impact lives. Thus, we have to express (our opposition) in terms of dialogue and forum," said Syed Sharir, when contacted.

According to the IPF website, groups expected to convene at the forum include Greenpeace, Oxfam International, Friends of the Earth International, Committee for the Abolition of Third World Debt, Oilwatch International, Bretton Woods Project and Forum Asia.