Civil disobedience happens when rule of law breaks down
(MMO) – It is absurd to accuse the TTDI residents of committing a vague offence like “committing mischief”, especially when political players are allowed to put up illegal advertisements with impunity.
I filed a complaint to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as early as April 9 on the setting up of political flags in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) before nomination day on April 28, an offence under Section 24B(4) of the Election Offences Act 1954 that states campaign materials can only be displayed during the official campaign period.
Unapproved political flags put up before nomination day of the 14th general election are essentially illegal advertisements, no different than illegal banners and advertisements offering various services.
They are an offence under the Advertisement By-laws (Federal Territory) 1982 and the Vandalism By-laws (Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur) 1991.
After repeated reminders of my complaint to DBKL, which I had emailed and filed in person at their office, and a police report that I lodged, DBKL finally responded to me today (April 20) and told me that the Mayor’s Office has given instructions to remove political flags in TTDI.
Prior to DBKL’s action today, it was no surprise that some desperate citizens decided to take matters into their own hands and performed a public service by removing the political flags themselves, which are essentially trash.
However, when my TTDI neighbours ― three young women ― allegedly took down 133 BN flags in the neighbourhood and handed the materials to the police, rather than litter the place, they were arrested for “committing mischief”, an offence under Section 427 of the Penal Code that is punishable with maximum five years’ jail, or a fine, or both.
Worse still, they were remanded overnight for such a minor offence.
