May 1 anti-GST rally illegal, say cops

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have labelled the proposed May Day rally as illegal.

Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Ahmad said that organisers of the rally submitted a notice for the rally before the mandatory ten day period, they failed to get permission from the owners of the venue where the rally is going to be held.

"They needed to meet both requirements before the 10-day deadline, which they did not, so the gathering is illegal.

"We urge the public not to attend it," he said during a press conference at Dang Wangi police headquarters on Wednesday.

The rally, organised by several NGOs like Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), is set to protest the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The groups are planning to converge at Dataran Merdeka after gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) first.

ACP Zainuddin said police have been proactive in engaging the organisers to advise them to change the final venue to Stadium Merdeka as Dataran Merdeka would be closed to the public to facilitate ongoing upgrading works.

"They (the organisers) told us they will consider this but so far we have not heard from them and the deadline has also past," he said.

He added however that police are willing to compromise if the organisers are willing to adhere to the venue change.

ACP Zainuddin however stressed that bringing children to the gathering is illegal and action will be taken against those responsible.