Cops have no authority to block protest, says anti-incinerator group

The Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) has condemned the police for purportedly blocking the group from holding a protest on Tuesday.

According to the group, it had received a letter from the Gombak district police headquarters yesterday citing safety concerns, location suitability, traffic congestion, and public order as reasons to forbid the protest an incinerator project.

It argued that the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) does not give police the authority to prevent the protest as long as the group adheres to the law’s requirement to provide the police with at least five days’ notice.

“As far as we are concerned, the police may only impose restrictions and conditions, if any, but cannot block the assembly if the notification complies with sections 9 and 10 of the said law," it said in a statement today, citing Section 14(1) of the PAA.

“Moreover, under the PAA, the organiser is only required to notify the police at least five days before the assembly - which we did on Sept 13, giving two weeks' notice,” they added.

Public area

RTI further highlighted that the protest venue in front of the Selanyang Municipal Council’s office is a public area that permits peaceful assembly and is not designated as a prohibited zone under the PAA.

They demanded the police to rescind the letter and reverse its decision, describing the letter as “misleading” and “disrespects the law”.

They also urged the police to respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“This protest is a critical demonstration of our commitment to safeguarding the future of Batu Arang and the surrounding areas including Bandar Tasik Puteri, Kota Puteri, and Bandar Seri Coalfields.

“We will not be silenced, and we encourage all concerned citizens and organisations to join us in defending our community and our rights,” they said.

The RTI announced its plans to hold the Tuesday protest yesterday, in response to the local government’s decision to rezone a residential land plot in Batu Arang to pave the way for the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Park (SISGEP) incinerator project.

The project is one of two planned within a 15km radius of Rawang town.

RTI has previously made several attempts to gain attention from authorities, including seeking intervention from the Selangor ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The group is hoping for a turnout between 150 to 200 people but is welcoming more Rawang residents to join in order to send a stronger message.

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