IGP puts his foot down – no more #KitaLawan rallies

(Bernama) – The organisers of the #KitaLawan gatherings are no longer allowed to hold any assembly in the federal capital, said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said this following the aggressive shown by the group against an enforcement personnel from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in an incident at about 12.15pm this afternoon.

“The group assaulted the DBKL enforcement personnel. If they want to hold any assembly, do it peacefully. Don’t resort to aggression. So, the group is no longer allowed to assemble.

“As they cannot control themselves and disturb the peace, they are no longer allowed to hold gatherings in areas where they normally hold such assemblies. I have reminded them that if they wish to hold any assembly, follow procedures. I wish to emphasise that this group is no longer allowed to assemble in any area,” he said.

The IGP disclosed this to reporters after the launching of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Royal Malaysia Police Alumni Chapter, here today.

He said if the gatherings continued, the police would arrest those involved. “I am reminding them to stop the gatherings. We received many reports from various parties that the gatherings were inconveniencing the public, taxi operators and traders,” he said. Khalid added that those wishing to organise any gathering must comply with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Referring to the involvement of university students in public gatherings, he said the police would speak to the universities concerned for subsequent action.

In another development, the IGP said PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli was detained to assist investigations into the circulation of instruction letters on freeing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The police today arrested Rafizi under the Sedition Act to help in the investigation into an allegedly seditious statement he made on social media recently.