Police stop cycling protest

Police have refused to allow Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) to continue its cycling campaign as the campaign is deemed illegal.

Jerit organised the "Southern Cycling Campaign" to call for the abolition of the Internal Security Act, review of the Minimum Wage Act and adequate housing for the people.

They also called for controls on the price of goods, to reinstate local council elections and halt the privatisation of public utility companies.

However, their campaign came to an end at the Johor Baru chapter of Suaram when 16 of them were detained by police.

They were taken to the Johor Baru North police headquarters where their statements were recorded while several minors there to take part in the campaign were told to stay in the office.


They were supposed to cycle for 40km from Skudai to Simpang Renggam. The group was scheduled to also stop in Malacca later.

The campaign was supposed to involve 35 cyclists, aged between 15 and 30, two buses to ferry members, two marshals in a Mitsubishi Pajero and also a medical team.

Johor Baru North police chief Assistant Commissioner Ruslan Hassan said the group did not have a valid permit and so were not allowed to carry on with their campaign.

"Furthermore, students are involved in this. We are not sure whether these children had undergone medical check-ups or if they are physically fit to cycle under the blazing sun for such a long distance. We will not compromise the safety of anyone," he said.

Checks also revealed that the 35 bicycles that were sponsored by individuals and private companies had only arrived at the Suaram office in Jalan Ronggeng 11, Taman Skudai Baru, here yesterday morning.

The bicycles were not tested, nor have the children, aged between 15 and 19, undergone any cycling training prior to the campaign.

Roads leading to the Suaram office were cordoned off by police to traffic.

About 11am, all of the detained members were released but they were not allowed to cycle out of the district. Also seen at the scene was Johor DAP chairman and Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau.

He was seen negotiating with the police and made arrangements for two lorries to ferry the bicycles to Jerit's next destination in Kulai.

NST
07/12/08