Occupy Dataran confronts DBKL enforcement officers

11 Dec, 2011: Occupy Dataran activities were put to a stop by DBKL enforcement officers at Dataran Merdeka yesterday. The event scheduled from 5pm - 5am was held in conjunction with Human Rights Day.

Activities included "Speakers' Corner" for participants to voice their views on any issues, "Pasar Percuma", a potluck market offering items and services free-of-charge, "Universiti Rakyat", a free and open session for people to share knowledge and skills and the "KL People's Assembly", a platform for people to share problems, ideas and propose solutions collectively. Other activities included a potluck picnic and street theatre.

The event was first interrupted by DBKL enforcement officers when about 5 individuals laid their small collection of books, clothing and toys on their mats to start the "Pasar Percuma". Even after explaining the act was for charitable purposes, the officers insisted that giving away items required permit from DBKL. However, "hanging out" was fine. The group packed their items and continued to "hang out" at Dataran Merdeka.

The group swelled to about 60 people after an hour. They were once again interrupted by the DBKL officers when they tried to start the potluck picnic by laying out snacks and drinks. According to the DBKL officers, picnicking was not allowed, however gave 45 minutes for the group to finish eating and drinking.

By nightfall, the number of DBKL officers grew bigger and they were joined by the police force. The Occupy Dataran group was asked to leave the public premise. A senior officer, Mr. Chua, read out the Dataran Merdeka by-laws that states:

"No person shall, unless exempted, hold any public address, demonstration, assembly, meeting, gathering or any other activity in the Dataran Merdeka without a permit from the Mayor"

When queried by the group why other groups in Dataran Merdeka at that time were not given similar warnings, the senior DBKL officer responded that they were not in big groups. The group offered to disperse into smaller groups but it was not enough to convince the DBKL officer to allow them to stay. Another DBKL officer said that they would allow big groups if their activities were not deemed by DBKL to be "bad" ("tak baik").

The group and everyone at Dataran Merdeka were eventually evicted by dozens of enforcement officers. The excuse given was "because of security reasons". No further explanation was given.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• DBKL
• #occupydataran
• occupy
• Dataran Merdeka

[basikaltuamuda]

you have to pay for your freedom ha ha

[dierenz]

dah nama pun "occupy dataran". letak la nama picnic di dataran ker, membantu orang susah di dataran ker, berbuat baik di dataran ker. cuba orang ramai pegi sekitar tempat you tinggal pastu cakap "occupy the land". Then start handing free stuffs just outside ur place. tengok you panggil polis ker tak. mesti you curiga kan? yes dataran belongs to all malaysian as well. BUT police are there as counter measure. From what i see the police did a very good job.

[psvonn]

@MrIzdi6439 that's not true. DBKL -never- said we had to leave by a certain time. Never. And it's not about whether DBKL "gave enough time" -- why must there be a time limit to lepak in Dataran Merdeka in the first place? Of course there were groups of families in Dataran Merdeka. Have you been there on a Saturday? Just because it's not shot in this video, doesn't mean other people are not there...

[MrIzdi6439]

By the way, DBKL have given enough time from 4 p.m until the video taken (which I can assume it already at night). Its fair though. The group claim that there are groups of family, and yet, it is not... The funny thing is, they claimed they did not understand... Are they did not understand or refused to understand?

[MrIzdi6439]

@sakurasakuragi2011 Are you suggesting that the laws are only applicable when those situation happens? Prevention is better than cure, dude... If the gathering is meant to spark hatred and chaos (although in the name of Human Right or politically correct -giving "public education and awareness"), I do think the officers is right to take such action.

[AduhXD]

hahahahaha. i find the officers in this video funny.

[ForeverJuvana]

Kenapa kena bayar tuk polis kalau nak dapat permit?

kalau gitu takyah bayar tax la kalau nak pakai je kena bayar jugak.

Bukan polis memastikan keamanan pada suatu situasi/event sepatutnya free untuk rakyat dalam suatu negara ke? Dorang ingat polis tu securiforce ke kena bayar apabila diperlukan?

Tapi bila consider sapa bos dorang mmg macam personal body guard VIP je, rakyat apa penting tuk dorang. rakyat tu suma cash cow tuk votes ngan tax je. tak payah jaga kesihatan mental rakyat.

[ako988]

Top ranking from DBKL call india and chinese to do dirty job.

[ako988]

Public place is for public.bodoh DBKL.Need permit mean they want money.

[kylarch]

boooo............