KUCHING, Dec 29: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen condemned the police’s alleged double standard in dealing with the congress organised by Dong Jiao Zong.
In a statement today, he expressed it was regrettable that the police has applied for and obtained an injunction to stop the congress to discuss the khat issue originally scheduled for yesterday.
“Therefore, the police’s act is not only an act of curtailing the freedom of assembly and expression but also manifests a clear double-standard.
“This is a clear breach of our Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto. Therefore, the Cabinet and PH Presidential Council must act urgently to address this issue before the government moves further from our PH manifesto,” he disclosed.
Chong pointed out that the act of banning the Congress is made worse by the fact that only two months ago, the police allowed the Malay Dignity Congress to proceed and did nothing in respect of the incendiary speeches made in that congress.
He added DAP may not agree with Dong Jiao Zong’s position in respect of the khat issue, but opined Dong Jiao Zong has all rights to hold the congress to express their stand.
“Such act by the police to stop the holding of the congress is not only against the Pakatan Harapan manifesto on freedom of assembly, but it is also against the spirit of the Federal Constitution on freedom of expression and association.”
On December 27, Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong announced it was cancelling the Chinese Organisation Joint Conference which was scheduled to be held a local university in Kajang over the khat issue, after it was issued with a court order obtained by the Kajang police district. — DayakDaily
