Unlawful ‘roadblocks’

11/08/2007 The  Star

WHERE do you want to go? Friend’s house? Address? Don’t know, but know which house? If you don’t know, you cannot enter!

Sounds familiar? I have experienced the frustration of being stopped and questioned and, sometimes, denied access on public roads, while trying to visit friends or get across to other areas of various housing estates, the most recent being on a public road at Jalan Anggerik Eria 31/109, Kota Kemuning.

The public could use this road to get to other parts of Kota Kemuning previously without hindrance. At times, I have even been asked to produce my IC before I was allowed access on some public roads.

By the police? No, I am talking about private guards. Do these guards have the authority or power to set up “permanent” roadblocks on a public road and to stop, question and deny access to the public?

Under section 78 of the Road Transport Act, 1987 (Power to set up road-blocks), “any police officer in uniform authorised in writing by a senior police officer of the rank of Inspector and above” or “any road transport officer in uniform authorised in writing by the Director” may erect or cause to be erected or placed any barrier as prescribed on or across any road.

Under section 21 of the Police Act 1967, it “shall be the duty of police officers ? to keep order on public roads, streets, thoroughfares and landing places and at other places of public resort and places to which the public have access.”

Thus, if any other person (other than a police officer or road transport officer in uniform, duly authorised by a senior police officer or Director) erects or cause to be erected or placed any barrier on or across any road, he “shall be guilty of an offence” pursuant to section 119 of the Road Transport Act.

But residents claim that the local authorities have approved such permanent roadblocks or barriers.

Well, section 9 (10) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 provides that “no person shall erect or maintain or permit to be erected or maintained any obstruction in any street ?”

Section 46 of the same Act then provides that “any person who ? builds, erects, sets up or maintains or permits to be built, erected or set up or maintained any wall, fence, rail, post ? or other obstruction, in any public place ? shall be guilty of causing an obstruction and may be arrested without warrant by any police officer or any officer or employee of the local authority ?”

Section 46(4) of the 1974 Act reserves to our local authorities the power to only allow “any temporary erections in any public place or the temporary use of any part of a public place on occasions of festivals and ceremonies.”

It is thus quite obvious in my view that our local authorities do not have the power to authorise any such “permanent” roadblocks or barrier on or across any public road.

Security is important, but can the public’s rights and freedom be curtailed unlawfully in the name of security?

If residents want security, the guards can follow any person who passes or enters their areas but they have no right to stop, question or prevent any person from accessing public roads and enjoying public amenities such as playgrounds, badminton and basketball courts, fields, etc in these public areas.

I thus hope that the IGP and the minister in charge of local government will take the necessary action to stop such unlawful roadblocks on public roads and also ensure that local authorities do not exceed their powers by giving approvals in disregard of the above Acts of Parliament.


AGAINST UNLAWFUL ROADBLOCKS,
Petaling Jaya.