What Norian Mai should do is to take the bold initiative to meet with political parties and NGOs who have given their serious commitment that the gathering of Malaysians concerned about the outcome of the Anwar sodomy trial at the KL High Court on Friday would be peaceful and orderly so as to work out a formula where the fundamental human right of Malaysians to peaceful assembly and the security concerns of the police to maintain law and order could both be met.
Alternatively, the Human Rights Commission Chairman, Tan Sri Musa Hitam, can offer to mediate between the police on the one hand and the political parties and NGOs on the other to work out the ground rules for such a formula.
As the government has established the Human Rights Commission to signal to the country and the world that Malaysia is serious about human rights, the police must set the example and get rid of the water-cannon and riot-squad complex as its first reaction to peaceful assembly of Malaysians, and adopt a new strategy in connection with the legitimate concerns and interests of large numbers of Malaysians who want to gather at the KL High Court to listen to the verdict of the Anwar sodomy trial which is compatible with respect for human rights and within the framework of the maintenance of law and order.
It is not just Anwar and the system of justice that will be on trial on Friday, the police and human rights in Malaysia will also be on trial.
(31/7/2000)