Police caution against holding public assembly without permit
Bersih supporters holding banners promoting the Bersih 4 rally, outside Sogo, in Kuala Lumpur, Aug 28 2015. Photo: The Malay Mail Online
SINGAPORE — As Malaysians brace themselves for massive anti-government demonstrations this weekend, the police in Singapore have reminded the public that organising or participating in a public assembly here without a police permit is illegal.
In an advisory issued today (Aug 28), the Singapore police said they have been made aware of calls encouraging overseas Malaysians to organise and participate in events in Singapore in relation to the protests in Malaysia.
“Foreigners working or living here have to abide by our laws,” the police said, nothing that organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit is an offence under the Public Order Act.
“They should not import issues from their own countries into Singapore which can disturb public order. Those who break the law will be dealt with firmly, and this may include termination of visas or work passes where applicable,” the advisory said.
This is not the first time that the police have issued such an advisory to foreign nationals.
Last year, as Indonesia was getting ready for its parliamentary and presidential elections in April and July respectively, the Singapore police also issued a similar warning after receiving information that there may be foreign nationals campaigning for the polls here.
In 2013, the police also issued conditional warnings against 49 foreigners after they were involved in an illegal protest at Merlion Park on May 8 following the Malaysian general election earlier that month. Six others were given verbal advisories.
In Kuala Lumpur, pro-democracy group Bersih, which is organising the weekend rally, said yesterday that it expects more than 250,000 people to attend the event, the Associated Press reported.
The rally, aimed at putting more pressure on embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak to resign, starts tomorrow and will go on until midnight Sunday, the eve of Malaysia’s 58th National Day.
Activist Maria Chin, the head of Bersih, said the protesters will converge at five different locations in Kuala Lumpur before marching to the Independence Square, a national landmark. They will gather around it after the authorities warned that the square is off-limits due to preparations for National Day celebrations.
Rallies will also be held simultaneously in Kuching, Sarawak, and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
This is the fourth rally organised by Bersih, and the third one since Mr Najib took power in 2009. Tens of thousands of people turned up for the last two rallies in 2011 and 2012, which were dispersed by authorities using tear gas and water cannon. WITH AP
