Protest Campsite Safe For Now Dbkl To Suggest Alternative Tian Chua

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Former Batu MP Tian Chua says that the six-day society-led movement in Kuala Lumpur will continue in its present location for now, pending an alternative location to be suggested by the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL).
This came following a notice by DBKL earlier today rejecting Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin's (SSP) application to set up tents outside the MAPS parking building - located about 200m away from the US Embassy.
Tian Chua, the spokesperson for SSP, said he had attended a meeting with DBKL and the police tonight, chaired by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Former Batu MP Tian Chua"We heard (the concerns of) all parties. DBKL and the police's main concern was safety. We explained that we had considered this and assured them that everything would be done in order.
"However, DBKL was still concerned that the tents would endanger the highway," he told reporters tonight.
Tian Chua said he had questioned DBKL representatives at the meeting if the tents were truly a concern, and if so, SSP would be willing to protest without the tents.
However, he had suggested that DBKL give an alternative location provided that it was still located near the US embassy.
DBKL notice
At around 11.30am today, a team of DBKL enforcers on site told Malaysiakini that there had been no instructions received for them to dismantle the tents, despite the earlier notices.
While unauthorised to be quoted, a senior enforcer who engaged with Tian Chua indicated that the group could proceed with their plans at the site until Sunday.
However, mere hours later, Tian Chua received a DBKL notice rejecting SSP's application to set up the tents opposite the MAPS building on Jalan Tun Razak.
In the letter sighted by Malaysiakini, DBKL said the tents could potentially interfere with the premises and nearby housing areas, cause traffic, and threaten the safety of the public.
However, DBKL in its notice said that they were willing to consider suggestions on other locations to hold the picket.
Symbolic gesture
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim earlier told the crowd tonight that the authorities have been advised to not interfere with the ongoing protest.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim (left) and Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal SalehMeanwhile, Tian Chua explained that SSP's reason for pitching tents, apart from providing a place for protestors to sleep, was as a symbol of suffering for Palestinian refugees.
He added that the police prevented SSP from conducting its initial plan to "block" the US embassy due to diplomatic relations.
SSP launched its protest last night, starting with a march from the nearby Menara TH Tun Razak and announced a symbolic "blockade” for six days until the new year.
The picket is in response to the US vetoing efforts by the United Nations to push for a ceasefire in Gaza amid continued assault by Israel.
The number of protesters on site is expected to vary throughout the day, with a planned mega rally on Dec 31.
The collective group consists of 35 CSOs, 15 student groups and 13 political parties.
The organiser has also prepared night activities for participants - which include appearances by poets, musicians, writers and others.
Tonight's activities saw appearances from Adam Adli, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, former education minister Maszlee Malik, former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, activist Hishamuddin Rais, and former Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah.
Maszlee, Ambiga, Hishamuddin, and Maria also joined together to sing John Lennon's 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' in solidarity with Palestine. - Mkini

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