SENATORS CONDEMN FOREIGN MEDIA'S UNTRUTHFUL REPORTING OF ILLEGAL RALLY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Several senators today condemned the foreign media's untruthful reporting of Saturday's illegal rally in the federal capital, which created the impression that the Malaysian police were brutal in handling the rally.

Their representative, Senator Akbar Ali, said the police had acted
responsibly, fairly and efficiently in controlling the situation, hence their effort should therefore be appreciated.

"They should also be praised for treating those arrested, well," he said at a news conference held at Parliament lobby, here, Tuesday.

He said the organisers who went ahead with the planned street rally despite the authorities declaring it as illegal only showed their arrogance and impudence.

On behalf the group of senators, Akbar also thanked Prime Minister Najib Razak for his openness in listening to people's views as well as criticism against his government.

"Unfortunately, although the prime minister had offered the same opportunity to the organisers of the illegal rally, they were more interested in provocation and creating trouble on the streets," he said.

The senators concerned also expressed sympathy for the traders as well as shopping complex, hotel, restaurant and tourism operators who were said to have suffered losses amounting to over RM100 million due to the illegal rally.

On whether there was a need to set up a royal commission of inquiry into the death of a 59-year-old taxi driver alleged to have participated in an illegal rally at the KLCC area on that day, Akbar said," the police and post-mortem reports had classified the case as sudden death which should be accepted by all quarters including the man's family.

"An inquest will be better than setting up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the death as the latter will involve a high cost," he added.
-- BERNAMA