Group gets 'verbal agreement' from police for anti-incinerator protest

An anti-incinerator group has claimed it received a verbal agreement from the police for a rally tomorrow against the Selangor state government's plan to build a waste-to-energy plant in Batu Arang, Rawang.

The Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) said the verbal agreement for the rally, which is planned to start at 10am, was given during the group’s meeting with senior officers from the Gombak district police in charge of areas including the planned protest site in front of the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) office.

"We appreciate the IPD Gombak’s prompt response and consideration of our concerns, and thank them for their cooperation in ensuring that the rally can proceed as planned.

“RTI and the police have agreed on holding the rally according to the terms and conditions set forth, ensuring public safety and order.

“The police will also assign a liaison officer to facilitate communication and ensure the event runs smoothly,” the group said in a statement today.

RTI previously said it had received a letter from the Gombak district police headquarters that cited safety concerns, location suitability, traffic congestion, and public order as reasons to forbid the protest.

Gombak police chief Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir confirmed a notice for the rally was received from the organiser under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“Police acknowledge the request (notification), and organisers are subjected to terms and orders under Section 15 of PAA 2012,” he told Malaysiakini.

Previously, RTI spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti said the rally aims to send a message to MPS that Rawang residents are disappointed with its decision to approve the rezoning of the land plot from residential to industrial, despite heavy objections against the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Park incinerator project.

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

Anti-incinerator protest to proceed, with or without police greenlight

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