THE Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) has rejected the Raub police chief’s statement that the rally scheduled for tomorrow is illegal.
Samka president Wilson Chang said the statement made by ACP Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman was baseless as the inspector-general of police had previously said the rally needed no approval.
“IGP Razarudin Hussain said in May that the rally needs to follow the guidelines as stipulated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and no approval is needed. Only a notice five days earlier,” said Wilson.
He said he had submitted the notice on August 30, eight days before the rally.
“We have followed the guidelines, and the venue of the rally is also in a public space.
"I urge the public to join the Perhimpunan Besar Pekebun 907 tomorrow to demand that the government stop intimidating us durian farmers,” he said.
Shahril told Bernama earlier that protesters would face stern action if they attended the rally in Dataran Pasar Sungai Klau in Raub, Pahang tomorrow as the event organiser did not get the approval of the venue owner, a requirement under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
He said the organisers had also failed to inform the police of the protest 10 days ahead of the event.
“We also received objections from local residents, including the venue owner and the Raub District Council. Considering all these factors, the event has not been approved.
“Action will be taken against anyone who disregards this and participates in the gathering,” Shahril told Bernama.
Samka had announced the gathering to urge the state to lease land to farmers for planting durians.
It said since the High Court had dismissed the judicial review application of Musang King durian farmers on April 24, the farmers had experienced increasing pressure from the state government, consortiums, and enforcement agencies. – September 6, 2024.
