IGP sounds warning after protest over Cheras access road turns ugly

Saturday May 10, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said there should be no mob rule in this country.

He said police would act against those who organised or incited residents to break the law by gathering illegally and demonstrating.

He was commenting on the protest by about 1,000 demonstrators at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, against a barricade at a traffic-light junction leading to the area on Thursday night. The residents have twice brought down the barricade.

The demonstration turned ugly at about 10.30pm and police had to fire water cannons and tear gas to control the crowd.

Unsafe driving: Drivers using the access road after the barricade was brought down a second time by irate residents.

“We are concerned as the toll-free access road has yet to be gazetted. If there is an accident, we will not be able to investigate and motorists will have to file a civil suit for compensation,” he said.

“To me, all parties concerned should sit down and find an amicable solution without resorting to mob rule. They should go to the courts and fight for their rights, instead of damaging property and inconveniencing other motorists and residents.”

Police arrested four people after the demonstration. During the commotion, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng was allegedly assaulted and later warded at the Selayang hospital.