Jerit, which is organising a nationwide cycling tour to highlight several issues affecting the rakyat, today hit back at the Selangor police chief for accusing the movement of abusing children for the campaign.
The movement, in a statement, said that the state's top cop Khalid Abu Bakar had "lied and misled" the public on the actual situation with his statements.
Yesterday, following the arrest of some 50 cyclists in Rawang, Khalid had told the media that 28 of the cyclists were found to be under the age of 18.
He added that the police had to detain the cyclists and organisers to save the children from irresponsible people who were exploiting and misusing them.
"When giving their statements, these children said they did not know why they were asked to participate in the cycling event," he had told reporters last night.
The adult cyclists and several Jerit coordinators were arrested and investigated for public processions under the Police Act and for abusing children under the Child Act.
Responding today, Jerit said that all the under-aged cyclists had parental consent to take part in the cycling campaign.
"The children actually refused to say anything to the police officers as they did not want to cooperate with the police as they are being detained illegally.
"The children were also questioned by police whether they were paid to do this. What was the police trying to show with these kind of questions?" asked the movement.
Jerit also said that it had been very responsible in taking care of the cyclists' welfare since day one.
modified: Malaysiakini
16/12/08
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