813: A Walk for democracy and reforms

Movement plans ‘red-shirt’ rally Aug 13

Posted on July 14, 2011, Thursday

KUCHING: Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) plans to hold a rally ‘A walk for democracy and reforms’, here on Aug 13 from 2pm to 5pm here and participants are encouraged to wear red T-shirts.

MoCS leader Francis Siah said the movement’s leaders had decided to tone down the event — originally planned as a protest against Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Taib to walk for democracy and reforms after a meeting in Kuala Lumpur recently.

He said MoCS would apply for a police permit for the event and assured the police that the rally would be peaceful.

Siah added the organisers would heed any reasonable advice and conditions from the police and extend its fullest cooperation to all law enforcement agencies.

“We hope to gather either at Padang Merdeka or Kuching Waterfront and then walk to either Reservoir Park or Museum Grounds where we will hold the rally.

“By 5pm, everyone should disperse. This is our commitment to the police,” he said.

The movement will issue a 10-point declaration at the rally.

MoCS stressed that the rally was solely a citizen’s initiative with no political affiliation or involvement.

Siah stressed that MoCS would not campaign for support from any established groups for the rally as they preferred spontaneous and voluntary support from those who earnestly wanted to help bring about genuine reforms.

MoCS also encouraged those who would not be able to come here and those living in other parts of the state to organise similar walks in solidarity with the movement.