Penang police have threatened stern action, 'including arrest', if organisers of two Bersih-related 'roadshows' go ahead with their plans.
State police chief Ayub Yaakob said the order was obtained this morning under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
He said he had spoken to the state government officials regarding the ban on the rallies scheduled to be held in expo sites in Sungai Nibong and Seberang Jaya.
“We have told them to cancel the road shows,” he told reporters at state police headquarters in Jalan Penang here today.
The rallies on both sites were state-events to drum up public support for the planned ‘free and fair election’ Bersih rally on Saturday July 9 in Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Ayub warned the organisers that police would take stern action, including arrest, if they go ahead with the banned rallies.
He cautioned the public not to attend the gatherings, which were now deemed illegal.
“The Bersih coalition is an illegal organisation. Thus Bersih-related events and activities are classified as illegal.
“The people should refrain from attending these illegal gatherings, which are being organised as part of a prelude road show to the July 9 gathering in Kuala Lumpur,” Ayub said.
‘PSM detainees given best care’
He also said the police would act to stop any Bersih items, such as badges, T-shirts, pamphlets, flyers and leaflets, from being sold, distributed and used by anyone in Penang.
“Bersih is an illegal organisation, so everything pertaining to it will be considered illegal,” he said
Ayub also denied accusations by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and a coalition of civil society that the 30 PSM detainees, who were arrested last Saturday, were treated badly.
“We are giving them the best care under custody,” he said.
He added that the family members would be allowed to visit the detainees from tomorrow.
The detainees are being remanded until Friday. They are being investigated for allegedly waging a war against the King.
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