KK police to get court order to bar 'May Day Rally'

Kota Kinabalu police obtained a court order to bar a 'May Day Rally' jointly organised by Bersih Sabah and 35 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to be held on Labour Day.

City police chief, ACP M. Chandra, said this was because the organisers did not get permission from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) to use the Padang Merdeka, here, as the location for the rally.

"According to police intelligence the organisers will continue to hold the rally at Padang Merdeka even without permission from DBKK," he told a press conference on the matter here today.

The Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court granted the order under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code and its charges fall under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which prohibits organising or taking part in street protests.

Besides Padang Merdeka, the court order also bans any form of gathering at four other locations namely Taman Chong Tien Vun, City Park, Segama Waterfront, and Dataran Bandaraya. Copies of the order will be put up around these areas for public notice.