RapidKL should explain ‘trapping’ of Bersih supporters, says Pua

By Ida Lim

May 05, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — The DAP is now pointing fingers at RapidKL for allegedly being among the “biggest culprits” that aggravated last week’s Bersih 3.0 chaos, demanding today its reason for halting train services during the height of the event.

Last Saturday, train stations near Dataran Merdeka were shut down for a few hours when the peaceful Bersih sit-in protest turned chaotic after protesters breached the barricade at the square.

“The question must be asked why the top management of RapidKL order the key Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations to be closed?” said Pua (picture).

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said that it resulted in “tens of thousands of Malaysians who had wanted to disperse peacefully and quickly...in an orderly manner” to be “trapped”.

“The closure of the stations made these peaceful rally participants sitting ducks facing the full force of teargas and water cannons from the police,” he added.

Pua also said that were “many reports of police brutality” where Bersih supporters “alleged that they were picked from the LRT stations, taken away and beaten up in the alleyways.”

Pua called RapidKL’s decision an “irresponsible” and “reckless” act “as it threatened the safety of the participants.”

The closing of LRT stations was a “police decision as to ensure the majority is safe”, said RapidKLon the social network site Twitter.

Pua asked the police to confirm if they had given such instructions and whether the reason was to prevent the people from dispersing peacefully.

“We call upon Suhakam to summon RapidKL top management to explain their actions and investigate the likely collusion between RapidKL with the police.”

The LRT stations that were shut down are Masjid Jamek, Pasar Seni, Dang Wangi on the Kelana Jaya Line.

RapidKL had also said on Twitter that the LRT stations Plaza Rakyat, Masjid Jamek, Bandaraya, Sultan Ismail on the Ampang Line was closed last Saturday.