Sosma 2012 to be used to ensure smooth running of GE-13

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh urged all quarters, including non-governmental organisations and political party members and supporters, planning to hold a gathering or 'ceramah' (political talk) to notify the police first as it was subjected to the Peaceful Assembly Act. "Please remember that, right now, any political activity, including ceramah and gathering, is subjected to the Act which applies before the nomination day. However, from the nomination day onwards, the Election Offences Act 1954 may apply," he said. While expressing disappointment over certain quarters who chose to ignore and even violate the instructions stated under the Act, he said the police would not hesitate to take actions against them. On Kuala Lumpur police's strength in facing the GE13, Mohmad said 8,580 personnel from the Kuala Lumpur police contingent were in the full state of preparedness. He said two officers had also been appointed to provide information and answer all questions from the media on matters concerning Kuala Lumpur police. "We also have an operation room or media centre which will operate round the clock to answers all questions about the general election," he said. Meanwhile in Ipoh, Perak, the police are to give added focus to four 'hot' areas to ensure a smooth campaign and polling in the 13th General Election (GE13), Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today. He said the police were prepared for any possible trouble in the four areas, which he named as Taiping, Sungai Siput, Ipoh Barat and Batu Gajah. The police had also identified several individuals who might spark chaos during the period, he told reporters after a briefing on GE13 with the Perak police, here. Khalid reminded people attempting to cause trouble during the election campaign and polling to perish the thought because the police would not hesitate to take firm action against them. On the readiness of the Perak police for GE13, he said he was satisfied with the preparations in terms of personnel and equipment. The Election Commission (EC) has announced April 20 and May 5 as the dates for nomination and polling, respectively, for GE13. Khalid received a cheque for RM518,372.15 from Perak Chief Police Officer Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan for the Royal Malaysia Police Welfare Fund. Police will use the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in ensuring that the 13th general election (GE13) will run smoothly without any incidents or security threats. As such, Bukit Aman Legal and Prosecution Division principal assistant director Datuk Razali Basri said those arrested during the campaign period or throughout the election process, can be investigated under Sosma and charged under the Penal Code. "This includes the new Section 124B of the Penal Code concerning activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy, which is punishable by imprisonment up to 20 years and Section 124C where any attempt to commit the same crime under Section 124C, an individual can be punished by imprisonment up to 15 years," he told reporters after the briefing on GE13 at Bukit Aman here today. Razali said the police, however, would use the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011 in dealing with incidents occurring before the nomination day.