We are not against freedom of speech

sun2surf| Police today defended themselves against accusation of selective persecution, saying that they are not against freedom of speech as enshrined in the Federal Constitution but are concerned about the safety of the public.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar refuted the Bar Council's claim on Monday that they practised double standards as seen in the way they handled two different illegal gatherings on Sunday.

"I will keep it simple. When our orders to disperse fall on deaf ears and are not adhered to, we will move in and act. That is when we may carry out arrests. What then are we expected to do? Stand and watch? We are law enforcers and when we act, it is within the parameters of the law. We will appear silly to the rest of society if we do not act.

"The protesters must remember that not everybody share their emotions, opinions and beliefs and the rights of others must also be respected. The police have a duty to make sure this right of the rest of society is upheld," he said.

He said if the protesters disperse on order, there will be no issues.

He cited the case of the anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) gathering in Petaling Jaya where the group dispersed soon after being told to do so for the first three weekends they got together and none were detained. But in the fourth week, they defied orders and kept regrouping, forcing police to act.... more.

We are not against freedom of speech but .... [tak der alasan]