The MoCS ‘Walk for Democracy and Reform’ will take place tomorrow (Aug 13) even though the police have threatened to arrest anyone seen in the vicinity of its venue at the Museum Garden, Kuching.
Movement of Change Sarawak chief Francis Siah said if police had been willing to give their approval for the rally, he would have expected between 7,000 and 10,000 people to turn up.
Siah also added that he has been informed a restraining order would be served on him and nine other activists to pre-empt their attendance.
We can expect that the event will mirror closely the inherently hostile official response to the Bersih 2.0 rally. With the benefit of hindsight, the government should by now realise that a harsh and high-handed response by police will ultimately backfire against the ruling coalition running the Home Ministry.
The same resort to initial foot dragging and other acts of police harassment and coercion being employed against MoCS and its leaders only shows how deeply insecure the present political masters of Sarawak are.
FMT reported today that the MoCS initiative is one that has been closely linked to calls for Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to step down over allegations of corruption and abuse.
The charges of political abuse and corruption levied at Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and his coterie of family members and opportunistic supporters are allegations that need to be publicly and fully investigated, not suppressed.
We hope that Malaysians will lend their moral support to MoCS in its courageous and path-breaking efforts aimed at political reform and change in Sarawak, even if they cannot be in the Sarawak capital themselves to take part in the walk.
The programme starts 2pm tomorrow at the Museum Garden, Kuching. From there, the participants plan to walk to the Cenotaph to lay a wreath for the state’s fallen heroes and freedom fighters.
For updates on the event and the MoCS10-point declaration, please go to their website.
