Rally In Sabah

Incident-free in Sabah

I'm busying doing my job and some good business for the past three days and almost forget to update my blog. Sorry to my loyal reader. I just want to add a little bit about the "PERHIMPUNAN BERSIH 2.0" but this article will focus in Sabah only. I'm really disapointed when I read Daily Express and Sabah Times yesterday regarding to this so call "PERHIMPUNAN BERSIH" I hopin that this illegal rally will happen in Sabah but who am I to predict it? Altough this rally happen without incident but I'm not statisfied because rally happen near to my hometown town of Tamparuli Sabah. Sorry to say I don't like this rally. To read more please read below. Thanks for stoppin by... 

The planned Bersih rally went without incident in Sabah, Saturday, save for the arrest of three people, including a politician, in Tuaran, and a commotion at the SAPP headquarters in Luyang where there was an attempt to bring down a signboard that contained the word 'Bersih' among others.

The trio aged 28, 36 and 39 were arrested at a roadblock for suspected involvement in an illegal Bersih 2.0 rally near Jalan Kg Muhibbah KK-Tuaran. They were believed to be heading back to Tuaran from here after they found no one had turned up for the rally at the town padang, with police preventing access.

Sabah Commissioner of Police, Datuk Hamza Taib, told a press conference he was thankful that most of the people here chose not to get involved in the rally.

He said among the items seized from the politician, businessman and another individual were handphones containing text messages urging the public to join the illegal rally.

It is up to the Senior Federal Counsel to decide whether they should be charged, Hamza said.

Among the reasons the rally proved unsuccessful in the State, he said, was because Sabahans preferred harmony, the public security exercise that was carried out as well as police roadblocks and operations.

A total of 201 reports were lodged throughout the operation to tackle illegal gatherings and eight investigation papers were opened.

Police would continue to monitor the situation to ensure no illegal gatherings are held.

In Luyang, police together with City Hall officers, brought down a signboard with the word "Bersih" at the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) headquarters in Bornion Centre.

The 30 police personnel accompanied by City Hall officers arrived at about 8.30am to take it down as it was put up illegally.

SAPP Information Chief Chong Pit Fah and Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia argued that since the signboard was not promoting or advertising products it shouldn't be considered illegal by City Hall.

The City Hall officers then left. State Commercial Crime Chief Supt Soh Hock Sing and ASP Rosly Arif was at the scene.

By 9.30am, more SAPP supporters arrived and were given yellow shirts with the SAPP logo to wear. This was followed by the arrival of senior police officers, including Deputy State Commissioner of Police SAC Tan Kok Liang. Police helicopters were also hovering above.

About 12.30pm Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan showed up to attend the launching of SAPP's Sabahtv.net by President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee in the presence of 150 SAPP supporters who dispersed when it was over.

At midnight Friday, police went to Bornion to question SAPP on a signpost in Malay which read "Bersih, Berani and Benar" (Clean, Brave and Truth).

"Police questioned why we used the word Bersih, why the background was yellow and why we chose July 9 to launch our online radio and TV," said a SAPP youth leader, Chester Pang.

Chia, who is Wanita Chief, rushed to headquarters after being alerted that about 20 police personnel were questioning its youth members after midnight and claimed it was harassment.

"Why is the Barisan Nasional government so paranoid of the word Bersih and yellow? What's wrong with them?" asked Chia.

She pointed to the BN government's projection of itself as a "Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah" (Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy) government.

"Don't tell me the present BN government has now completely forgotten its own slogan," she said.

She claimed police had no right to demand the removal of the signboard as it was beyond their jurisdiction.

"The display of signboard comes under the jurisdiction of the DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Hall), and in as far as we are concerned, they have not objected."

Several party members remained at the headquarters to prevent any attempt to deface the signboard and the screen to be used at Saturday's launch.

Story Arrangement By: Harry George

Sources: Daily Express, Berita Online and Sabah Times

Picture: Google Image