Protesters on bicycles defy Malaysian police

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have detained more than two dozen teenagers taking part in a protest over low wages that involves a mass bicycle trek across Malaysia to deliver a petition to the prime minister, a labour rights group said today.

The riders are mainly ethnic Indian farmers, factory workers and their children. The minority Indian community, among Malaysia's poorest, has been hit hard by rising inflation that recently reached its highest level in nearly 30 years.

Two groups began pedalling on Dec 3, one setting out from the north and the other from the south, said Y. Kohila, a coordinator for protest organiser, the Oppressed People's Movement (Jerit). They will each cover about 400km before they meet in Parliament on Thursday to hand a petition to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other lawmakers.

Twenty-eight teenage riders were detained yesterday at a police roadblock in Selangor, said Kohila. They remained in police custody today because authorities were only willing to release them to their parents, most of whom are in northern Malaysia.

"Police made this move to save these children from exploitation by irresponsible parties," Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar told the national news agency, Bernama.

Kohila denied the teenagers were coerced into the campaign, which she said is meant to "make the government take action to alleviate the problems of plantation and factory workers."

Over the past two weeks, police have arrested the riders at separate locations for conducting a public protest without permission, but later freed them without charges. The riders have continued their journey after being released.

The group's wide-ranging demands include a minimum wage law, tighter government control of consumer prices, better public housing and a halt to privatisation of public services including water, health care and education. — AP

Time and time again, these fools in the police force always humiliate themselves by finding the lamest reasons just to suppress the public that goes against the corrupted government.

These police that are so "FREE" should do something about the crime rate instead of asking us to change our bladdy perception! Every single time money has been deducted on my pay slip sickens me when i know that my money is feeding these corrupted police officers that are humiliating that Emblem that they are wearing on their chest.

Another gross & disgusting misuse of power by the police chief, to oppress the freedom of expression and peaceful democratic activities of the ordinary people. This police heads are just dogs for the scared UMNO-BN government. Are they disturbing the harmony of the people and society in those routes they pass thought? No, but rather welcome by the villagers and citizens, even are welcome by the states’ government. What harm are they done to our society? To receive such a ruthless treatment by the police.

They are representing the oppressed and marginalized Malaysian, in the estates, at the factories and those unemployed youth…. because of the incompetent, mismanagement, corruption and unfair policies of the BN government. Lots of our schools drop out and school leaving youths, mainly from poor and marginalize families, from all races, are hardly getting any discern jobs with reasonable welfare. They have to compete with the migrant workers (legal & illegal) for jobs. Even they accept those jobs, they are treated with low pay and poor welfare just like the migrant workers.

These youths have done a meaningful act to voice out their dissatisfaction, rather than become Mat Rempit or Si Lepak at the streets. Or resolve to be robbers or snatch thief…. These young man and women should have the respect and support from all Malaysian, and from our government.

"Nowadays it seems like the main job of the Royal police is to bust the youth and the law abiding protestors, besides their unnecessary roadblock to create traffic jam.

No wonder the crime rate is skyrocketing. Last week when I read the local daily in my home state, I notice there are so many robberies, some resulted in death to the victims . Idiot ! Buat Kerja ! allocate your manpower wisely !
16/12/08

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