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Police disrupt May Day Rally - 20 arrested, many terrised
Statement by the Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) - May 1-2, 2002
Kuala Lumpur -- The Annual May Day celebration called by progressive and community based organisation was marred by violence and disruption when more than six hundred people comprising of plantation workers, factory workers, urban poor, progressive unions, students and activists were stopped from continuing their peaceful walk to the Twin Tower - an icon of the capitalist state of Malaysia to celebrate workers day.
The workers, farmers and students who came from several states in Malaysia gathered from 9.30am at the busy Chow Kit Road. At exactly 10.00 am., the crowd which was around six hundred people started the walk. They carried placards, banners and distributed the messages of May Day.
After walking for half an hour and covering almost 2 KM of the walk, the walk was disrupted with violence from the police led by the notorious District Chief of Dang Wangi, ACP Bakri Zinin. He blocked the peaceful walk and immediately arrested PSM National Chairperson Comrade Nasir Hasim and Secretary general S.Arutchelvan. This was followed by the arrest of key leaders including PSM Central Committee member V.Selvam, three members from the Plantation Workers Support Committee(PWSC) - Negeri Sembilan division, two comrades from Community Development Centre (CDC) and another passerby. The arrest was done personally by Bakri and violence and unnecessary tension was created by the police.
The police then moved brutally to disengage the people from the messages they carried. Police snatched even badges and harmless leaflets from the people. The crowd then retreated and was later surrounded by the police who further harassed and bullied them. The press was also cordoned off from the place the people were gathered. At this point several other comrades were arrested including social activist Lee Siew Hwa and two others. Every piece off apron carrying slogan was removed violently by the police.
Another strong crowd of around nine hundred people moved straight into KLCC where they were also cordoned off by the police force. Here PSM Central Committee Member Comrade Dr. Kumar and Nathan were arrested. Another three members including PSM Subang Branch Chairperson Ramah was arrested here. Alaigal coordinator Mohanrani was also arrested in a short while later.
Police terror and harassment
The police force created further disruption on this auspicious workers day. They started to harass and interrogate those who have come including primary school students. The police took down their details including the name and where they studied.. The Police had a field day terrifying the people. There were also incidents of police violence on the people including young participants.
The police further terrorised the bus drivers who ferried the workers. The intimidation was so serious that a number of bus drivers were forced to abandon the people they brought. . The police in spite of numerous appeals continued to traumatised the people. Further havoc was created when the police maliciously diverted the bus carrying around 300 people to another destination after making prior agreement that they will be brought to KLCC.
As for the seventeen arrested, though police investigation and statement were all conducted by 6pm. the police maliciously remanded them overnight at the police lock-up. It was said by some policemen that the decision came from higher authorities who wanted to teach those arrested a lesson. Lawyers who came in solidarity with those arrested were baffled with the police action and their further detention after the statement were recorded seemed illegal. In the lock up, the activist refused to be further intimidated when told to strip off their shirts and pants. Several commotion took place inside the lock-up and finally the detained activist were allowed to lodge a police report on the conditions of the lock-up, food, over crowding and other procedures.
The mockery didn't end here. Three people, who bought food for the detainees, were arrested at around 6.30pm. They were then released around 2.30am.
Coverup by the police
ACP Bakri after disrupting the peaceful walk, harassing the people and spearheading the illegal arrest continued to legitimase his illegal act of terror. He notified the press that the police only started arresting when the crowd assaulted the police including injuring a policemen using a stick. Bakri further claimed that most people who came were conned and cheated by some NGOs to attend the rally.
Mahatir and MTUC reveal their true identity
Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir said protest and demonstration is not the way of Malaysia because there were proper ways to resolve the problems. He also said that people cannot insist that they must get what they requested for.
Malaysian Trade Union Congress(MTUC) President Zainal Rampak was a further sell out when he said that MTUC will only participate if a permit was granted. Other yellow union leaders such as NUPW and NUTP echoed his voices.
MTUC even brought insult to the meaning of May Day when it celebrated its May day in posh hotel instead holding of a rally.
All detained were released on police bail!
All those arrested were released by police at around 11am. the day after arrest at the Dang Wangi Police station. Supporters and friends greeted them upon release. Two police report were immediately lodged upon release by Sivan and Vengkat who were assaulted while they were being arrested.
It is not over yet—PSM!
At a press conference called just after the release of the detainees, PSM's Leaders Nasir Hashim and S.Arutchelvan condemned the police action and MTUC stand on the issue.
Dr. Nasir said that it is the right of the workers to celebrate workers day and we have done so since 1994 without any problem. He said we will continue to move the workers demand forward and will not stop here. We will be back again. Ist. May is our day to celebrate and no one is going to take it away from us.
Secretary General, S.Arutchelvan challenged ACP Bakri to show one photography evidence that the police were assaulted because there were police photographers present at all times. He also asked the police to reveal and show prove of just one person who said they came to KLCC because they were told it was a tour and sight seeing.
Nasir also questioned, " Whose side is Zainal Rampak (MTUC President) with ?"
The coalition of grassroots organisations and other progressive forces will not be cowed with this sheer aggression by the state. Many people from various sectors who came were disgusted by the police statement that the people were unruly. They will discuss seriously the lies thrown against them. They will be back again.
It is important here to recapture the May Day Declaration, which was to be read at the KLCC - the icon of capitalism in Malaysia.
"Return the rights of workers: wages-work-union!"
Workers- one race, one ethnic and one community. There are no differences between the Malay worker, Chinese worker, Indian, Indonesian, Bangladeshi, Palestine, Israel, European workers, United States, Australia, African and other countries workers. We are all one race, one ethnic and one community. The working class is a important and potential class. Workers are the key to development and advancement enjoyed by everyone. The workers..you have nothing to lose, except the chains of exploitation…you have a world to win. WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE !
The nine demands put forward and endorsed by 50 organisation are on fair wages, work, laws to protect workers, right to form Unions, socio-economy guarantees, equal development, stop misuse of public fund, stop racial policies and uphold a transparent and a credible administration free from corruption. These demands will now be read in the May day Celebration at Sungai Siput on Saturday.
1st. May is a victorious day for the workers and we will not allow this historical reality to demise from our memories. Whatever the working class has achieved all this years has been due to struggle and sacrifice of the working class alone. We might fall now and we might fall again but the final victory will be ours.
WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE !
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