KOTA KINABALU, April 30 – Unfazed by legal stumbling blocks, Sabah Bersih 2.0 said today it will proceed with tomorrow’s May Day rally, but will stage the event outside the five prohibited areas listed in the court order obtained by state police.

In a statement here, Bersih 2.0 vice chairman and main organiser Jannie Lasimbang said participants will first gather from 3pm at the Bandaran Berjaya roundabout in the city before making their way towards Padang Merdeka.

“We expect the law enforcement authorities to be professional in carrying out their duty and facilitate this peaceful rally.

“We may not reach Padang Merdeka, but let us say, our spirits and our hearts were there,” she said in a statement here.

Lasimbang also urged participants not to enter the five prohibited zones or attempt to breach any police barricades.

The rally, which was originally meant to take place at the town field tomorrow, was hit with a court order from the police banning the organisers and some politicians and activists, as well as members of the public from participating.

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

Lamenting that “the heavy hand of the law has once again shown its fangs”, Lasimbang said the order was akin to assuming that rally participants were guilty until proven innocent.

“The police, city hall and the state government have no right to make a blatant assumption that the May Day rally will result in chaos and riots.

“It’s totally against the normal practice of law, and its shameful to say the least,” she said.

She said that the gathering will forge ahead, abiding by provisions in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and would in no way contravene any laws.

Meanwhile, activist Daniel John Jambun, who was named in the court order as one of the respondents, is currently waiting for his court application to set aside the ban on the basis that it was obtained through “deception” and “misleading” the court.

High Court judge Stephen Chung is set to hear the case at 5.45pm.