Himpunan Hijau 2.0, the organisers of the anti-Lynas rally, have found themselves pushed to and fro between the local council and the police, to obtain clearance to use a field in Kuantan for their gathering on Sunday.

NONE Organising chairperson Wong Tack said Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) had on Feb 20 written to say that the application could not be considered unless organisers get a support letter from the police.

However, the police, in a verbal response to a Himpunan Hijau 2.0 letter on Feb 15, said approval was required from MPK.

"It is like a ping-pong game and we are not interested. On Feb 26, the rakyat will assemble peacefully in Kuantan, on the field or in the town of Kuantan. (MPK) has a choice," said Wong.

The organisers had about 7pm yesterday received a letter from the police to meet on the matter at 3pm today but are rescheduling the meeting as they are in Kuala Lumpur for the day.

Asked if organisers expect a crackdown, Wong said: "No, this is a peaceful organisation... I guarantee you that will be impossible. We don't expect to go to the streets, but if we don't have a choice....”

He theorised that there could be "dark forces behind MPK" and urged the civil servants to follow standard operating procedures "and not be influenced by political or dark forces".

‘Unfriendly authorities’

Committee member Clement Chin said the organisers have followed all procedures, but that the response from the authorities has been unfriendly.

NONE The first Himpunan Hijau gathering in Taman Gelora, Kuantan, last October was held with police and MPK clearance, but the permits were cancelled "at the eleventh hour" for a National Service event.

"They dismantled our stage, and pitched tents with no one inside and blared music on loudspeakers,” Chin said.

"People were scared of coming because of the roadblocks and police personnel carrying machine guns.”

The organisers expect 20,000 people at Sunday’s rally, with bus-loads of protesters likely to arrive from Ipoh, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

"Come enjoy yourself at the three-hour event and exercise your right as a citizen. Teluk Cempedak is beautiful. Come enjoy the seafood and the breeze. I'm sure the breeze will be strong that day," Wong added in a jocular vein.

In a related development, China Press reported that Kuantan police had posted notices around the field and in the town last night, requesting public feedback on the rally.

Informing residents about the proposed rally, the notice urged people who have interest to write to the police if they have concerns and objections against the rally.

This is a new measure under the newly-enacted Peaceful Assembly Act 2011 which empowers the police to decide details of the assembly including date, time and duration after considering the feedback from stakeholders.