KOTA KINABALU, April 28 — The court order barring public gatherings in the city centre on May Day is causing more public disorder than the planned rally, said Sabah Bersih 2.0 vice chairman Jannie Lasimbang.

The human rights activist said that the court order was disrupting public movement as it banned people from being in open spaces around the city.

“We only applied to use the town field, which is a small area in the city. But now the court order is banning people from being in the five main areas.

“Sixteen people were named and the 17th was the public. Meaning KK is on lockdown,” said Lasimbang when met at her office today.

Yesterday, city police chief assistant commissioner M. Chandra told reporters that police have obtained a Magistrate Court’s order to bar the rally in order to protect public safety and order.

The court order, from April 27 to May 3 covers Padang Merdeka — where the event was initially planned for — and City Park, Segama waterfront, Dataran Bandaraya and Taman Chong Thien Vun and its surroundings.

The notices have been put up in the five places named in the court order.

Lasimbang, who was served the court order at 1.30pm today said that her team will look at ways of challenging the ex-parte application.

“This court order obtained by police is an application in the absence of the 16 named respondents.

“In addition, two politicians named in the court order have nothing to do with the rally or organisers. This is unfair as it wrongfully links us to the opposition which we are not affiliated to,” she said, referring to Angkatan Perubahan Sabah president Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing and Star Reform Party chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

She also questioned the enforcement of the order during the period of the court order.

“How are they going to enforce it? Is no one allowed in any of the five places during the entire week? Are they going to arrest anyone wearing yellow?” she asked.

The court order named several opposition members such as DAP state leader and Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong Tze Phin, DAP state secretary and Dr Edwin Bosi (DAP), PKR vice-president Darell Leiking and ex-senator Datuk Maijol Mahap from STAR.

Others named included activists Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, Jannie Lasimbang, Daniel John Jambun, Kanul Gindol, Wilfred Gaban, Ann Lasimbang and S.M Muthu.

Last Thursday, Lasimbang said they will proceed with its planned rally here despite not getting the “approval” from the relevant authorities.

The rally, supported by some 48 civil society groups, is aiming to gather around 10,000 people for the two-hour event from 3pm to 5pm, this Friday to talk about their grievances on illegal immigrants, land rights, and the newly-implemented goods and services tax among others.