KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Jan: The People’s Uprising Assembly (HKR112) proves that such gatherings can take place safely, smoothly and festively when the police and authorities give complete cooperation.
This was unlike the previous people’s assemblies in which the authorities were harsh and intolerant, causing chaos and violence which could have been avoided, said participants of HKR112.
One participant, Lee Weng San, 55, said this assembly was very lively compared to the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 because there was no provocation triggered by any party.
“This assembly was very ‘best’ because many people of all races had attended and I feel that this time around there were more people present than at the previous Bersih 3.0 rally,” he said soon after the assembly at Merdeka Stadium today.
An estimate of about 100,000 Malaysians from all races and walks of life thronged Merdeka Stadium to participate in the HKR112 which is intended to demand for various rights and reforms.
Participant processions that began as early as 11 am from KLCC, University of Malaya Mosque and the National Mosque were carried out peacefully and without incidents of provocation or commotion.
Among the demands of HKR112 is to have clean and fair elections, to protect the environment, to save Felda, to return oil royalties to the people of Kelantan, to release ISA detainees and the demand for free education.
Another participant, Mohd Halim Ahmad, 61, said this assembly was held in peace without any mishap.
He who comes from Baling, Kedah, said the assembly went smoothly because the police cooperated fully by controlling traffic, unlike what happened during the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“Alhamdulillah everything went smoothly and all HKR participants dispersed peacefully, and this is what we want because the police cooperated with us,” he said.
For Rajeshwary Muniandy, 31, she praised police and the PAS Unit Amal for their peacekeeping efforts throughout the assembly.
“I am willing to come from Ipoh, Perak, because I want to give support to this assembly.
“This is the spirit of solidarity shown by Malaysians who care because everyone came to show their support for HKR.”