Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The Penang police took the unusual step of issuing warning that ISA may be used against those who are involved in rally tomorrow. It is widely known that there will be a rally tomorrow during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. This rally will be hijacked to protest against the new government. No prizes for guessing who’s behind it. The impact of such rally can be felt by one of Penang’s icons – the Nasi Kandar. The Indian Muslim restaurants claim that people are boycotting their places, since some of those who rallied last week looked like Indian Muslims, instead of Malays.
Meanwhile, those who protested in Selangor today demanded that the deputy post is not given to a non-Muslim.
Penang rally: Police warn ISA will be used
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80122
Mar 19, 08 7:19pm
The police today warned that the Internal Security Act (ISA) could be invoked against those who participate in tomorrow’s rally in Penang or spread short messaging service (SMS) regarding it.
Acting Penang police chief Salleh Mat Rashid said action could also be taken under Section 27 (5) or 27(5)(a) of the Police Act 1967 for participating in a rally without a permit. “They can also be arrested under the ISA for jeopardising national security,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama. The warning was given to those spreading SMSes regarding a mammoth gathering slated to take place in the state mosque.
The gathering is said to be a follow-up to the one staged outside the Komtar building last Friday in protest of the DAP-led state government’s decision to steer clear of NEP practices. Several former state excos had also participated. “We would take action against those who continue to spread the SMSes and two police reports had been lodged regarding the matter so far. We are investigating the source of the SMS,” said Salleh. The police chief said the gathering was against the law because the organisers did not apply for a police permit.
“Only two gatherings would take place tomorrow, the Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) celebrations at the Seberang Jaya mosque in the morning and at the Kapitan Keling mosque in the evening,” he added.
Salleh said 400 police officers and personnel would be stationed at both the locations. “We would also take additional security measures, such as deploying personnel at the state mosque to face any eventualities,” he added.
Protest held in Selangor
In Selangor, a protest was held by several hundred people from the Coalition of Selangor Malays at Dataran Shah Alam against the PKR, DAP and PAS state government. The protest led by Selangor Umno Youth leader Shukur Idrus started at 3pm and ended about an hour later.
They also handed over a memorandum to the Sultan, which was received by his private secretary Mohd Munir Bani who came to the scene.Among others, the protesters urged newly minted Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim not to go against the wishes of the Sultan regarding the appointment of a deputy menteri besar. They also called on the state government not to appoint a non-Malay deputy menteri besar and retain the exco composition at 60 percent Malays and 40 percent non-Malays. The protesters also condemned DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang for allegedly insulting the Malay hegemony.
ISA detention warning on SMS spreaders of tomorrow’s illegal gathering
By : Audrey Dermawan
source
GEORGE TOWN, Wed:
Police warned today they will detain under the Internal Security Act people who sent SMS texts to inform of a gathering at the State Mosque, which police has deemed to be illegal. Police have received two reports on the spread of such rumours and are investigating its source.
Acting state police chief Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid said Section 128 of the ISA would also be invoked against those who kept such SMS. “I want to stress that there is no such things and that the safety and security in the state is under control,” he told a Press conference here today.
The gathering at the state mosque, in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration, was to protest the newly-formed DAP-PKR joint state government. The rumours spread nationwide following a peaceful demonstration last Friday. The rumours gave an perception that there were unrests in the state.
Salleh said anyone with information on the illegal gathering should immediately informed the police. “We are asking the people to cooperate. If you receive the SMS, delete it immediately,” he said. Police did not received any application from anyone to hold the gathering. Salleh said only two state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations would be held – one at the Seberang Jaya mosque and the other at the Masjid Kapitan Keling mosque. Both celebrations will begin at 7.45am and 3.30pm respectively and will be supervised by 200 policemen.
At a separate press conference earlier, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged people to ignore rumours about the illegal gathering. The rumours are baseless,” he said. “I want to stress that everything is in proper order and the people should just carry on with their normal live.”
Nasi kandar sellers hit by boycott
PENANG: Nasi kandar operators are appealing to Penangites not to boycott their outlets, as they had nothing to do with last Friday’s street protest at Komtar.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president K.K. Sihabutheen said some members had complained of poor business following the circulation of an SMS, calling on the people to boycott their stalls after the demonstration.
There are over 250 nasi kandar outlets in Penang alone as the Indian Muslim fare is popular among people of all races here.
Sihabutheen, who is co-director of the homegrown Pelita chain, said it was unfair to spread rumours on nasi kandar operators when they were not even involved in the demonstration. “We are all very busy with our business, where can we find the time to go to Komtar to protest? Anyway, such an act will not benefit us,” he said in an interview. “I have been told that outlets in Chinese populated areas have reported slow business due to a drop in customers the last few days,” he said. He advised nasi kandar sellers not to panic as he believed the business slowdown was temporary and the people would soon realise there was no truth in the rumour.
Bayan Baru Kassim Mustafa outlet supervisor Ibrahim Majid said his business was not directly affected but many regular customers had shown him the SMS. “I am surprised why we businessmen are being ‘penalised’ over a political issue we are not even involved in,” he lamented.
Logistics executive Mandeep Singh, 33 said the SMS did not have any effect on him, as he was not easily influenced. “It will not do anyone good to boycott the food,” said the nasi kandar lover.
Jacky Tan, 40, said he heard about the SMS from a friend but did not receive any such message himself. “I think it is unnecessary to boycott mamak food. We shouldn’t blame the community for what happened at Komtar,” he added.
