The Bar Council is disappointed with the harassment and intimidation from the police directed at participants of the Jerit ‘Ride for Change’ Campaign.
The cyclists and those accompanying them have had to endure frequent roadblocks, unnecessary questioning and arrests as they journey towards KL. In addition to this they have had to endure their bikes being torched by unknown persons and at least one stone-throwing incident. The freedom of expression and speech by the “Ride for Change” campaign is wholly consistent with their rights as enshrined in our Federal Constitution and surely is a basic and rudimentary tenet of any truly democratic society. The fact that their demands may not be palatable to the ruling party should not be of concern to the Police. There must be absolute respect for every citizen to express their views in accordance with our Constitution. In fact the Police are under a public duty to provide protection and safety for all the participants.
Their demands as stated in the fliers distributed throughout their campaign call attention to – abolishment of the ISA, minimum wage for workers, affordable housing for the poor, the halt to the privatization of basic amenities, the need for price controls and local council elections.
We call on the Police to immediately stop the harassment and proceed to provide the necessary safety and protection for all the participants.
All attempts to continue the harassment would only be perceived to be political interference by the Police to stop any form of dissent to please the government of the day.
Ragunath Kesavan
Vice President
Malaysian Bar
12 December 2008
The cyclists and those accompanying them have had to endure frequent roadblocks, unnecessary questioning and arrests as they journey towards KL. In addition to this they have had to endure their bikes being torched by unknown persons and at least one stone-throwing incident. The freedom of expression and speech by the “Ride for Change” campaign is wholly consistent with their rights as enshrined in our Federal Constitution and surely is a basic and rudimentary tenet of any truly democratic society. The fact that their demands may not be palatable to the ruling party should not be of concern to the Police. There must be absolute respect for every citizen to express their views in accordance with our Constitution. In fact the Police are under a public duty to provide protection and safety for all the participants.
Their demands as stated in the fliers distributed throughout their campaign call attention to – abolishment of the ISA, minimum wage for workers, affordable housing for the poor, the halt to the privatization of basic amenities, the need for price controls and local council elections.
We call on the Police to immediately stop the harassment and proceed to provide the necessary safety and protection for all the participants.
All attempts to continue the harassment would only be perceived to be political interference by the Police to stop any form of dissent to please the government of the day.
Ragunath Kesavan
Vice President
Malaysian Bar
12 December 2008
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