Update @ 12:15am: Dr Xavier has reported to us that the Police still refuse to allow the Fiesta to go on. They claim that the Fiesta will disrupt the traffic and cause a security issue.
The "Fiesta Thaipusam" planned for Thaipusam eve (29th January 2010) was a programme that was long in the planning. It is a Selangor state sponsored event, with the collaboration of the Tourism Selangor, Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) and all other local govt agencies.
The programme is scheduled to begin at about 8pm and carry on till midnight. Planning for this programme has been going on for weeks, with banners and buntings going up all over Selangor and press statements being issued.
The Police who have been part of the organising committee from the very onset of the palnning suddenly on WEDNESDAY (27th January 2010) 48 hours before the programme the informed key organisers in MPS that they have retracted the "permit" for the said Fiesta.
The reason they stated was a "lack of security". This reason is uncalled for and totally invalid, because on Monday, (18th January)Dr Xavier, MPS and the entire committee made a field trip to the Fiesta site to ensure that the set-up would be safe for all and situated in a proper location.
Now we have learnt that the "real" reason that they want us to call-off the Selangor state programme is because PM, Dato Seri Najib has now rescheduled his Batu Caves visit to coincide with the Selangor State Programme. He is expected to arrive at 9pm !!
The police has proven today, that they are still the lap-dog of the BN government. Their actions of PARKING THE POLICE LORRY IN FRONT OF THE STAGE - AND DISALLOWING THE STAGES TO BE SET-UP is clearly an act of sabotage, and disrespect to the State of Selangor.
It is the perogative of the State to hold state functions, whereever and whenever necessary. The state has a duty to support and celebrate all cultural and religious occasions of the rakyat (Or else we would not be doing our jobs)
We clearly abhor the actions of the Police and in particular the very unfair and unjust stand taken by Chief Police Officer (CPO), of Selangor, Dato' Khalid.