No roadblocks, cops to take it easy on revellers
Keeping watch: Policemen monitoring the situation at Dataran Merdeka.
PETALING JAYA: The police are not going to be iron-fisted ahead of the New Year’s Eve countdown at Dataran Merdeka tonight, although there has been talk of a planned protest.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Ahmad said although personnel would be on standby at Dataran Merdeka and its surrounding areas, police would treat tonight’s event like any other New Year’s Eve gathering and take it easy on the revellers.
“We will not be conducting any roadblocks.
“However, the personnel on duty will be keeping a close eye on the revellers as well as the protesters.
“We want to ensure everyone’s safety,” he said yesterday.
ACP Zainuddin reiterated that the planned protest was illegal as the organisers had failed to get permission from both City Hall and the police.
“We will detain anyone with unruly behaviour.
“It already is an offence to gather without informing the police 10 days before the event as stated under the Peaceful Assembly Act,” he said.
Revellers, he said, should stay away from those taking part in the protest, adding that similarly, protesters should refrain from disturbing the revellers.
“The revellers are going there to have fun and usher in the New Year.
“It is not fair if the protesters ruin the celebrations with their illegal assembly,” he said.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, ACP Zainuddin said Jalan Raja had been closed from midnight last night while the slip road from Jalan Kinabalu to Jalan Raja would be closed from 6pm today.
Police, he added, would be investigating talks that there were plans to bring bombs to the illegal rally.
“We are also monitoring social media sites closely,” ACP Zainuddin said.
