Cancelling #Nothing2Hide not on Najib's or my order - Ahmad Zahid

The 'PM's Dialogue with NGOs' scheduled for today was not cancelled on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's or his order as Home Minister, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar made the decision based on security considerations following early information received that there would be some unwanted incidents at the dialogue titled, "Nothing to Hide".

"The police had received early reports that there would be some negative incidents although the aim of the dialogue was to disclose something that should not be covered up," he told reporters after a meeting with hadith ulamas, here, today.

Ahmad Zahid said the prime minister was disappointed that the dialogue was cancelled.

"The prime minister was committed (to attend it) but the police were of the opinion that he should not be present for security reason," he said.

On the organisers' action of opening the hall to the public although the dialogue was cancelled and police stopping former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad half-way through his speech at the event, Ahmad Zahid said the IGP would explain the matter at a press conference later.

"This is because I only touch on policy matters. As for operations, I leave it to the heads of department under my ministry," he said.

The Prime Minister's Office on its Facebook page today informed that Najib did not attend the dialogue at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) due to security factor, on the advice of the IGP.

The dialogue programme, organised by Sukarelawan Peguam Malaysia (SukaGuam), was scheduled for 10am, where representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), activists and members of the public could ask Najib on various topics, including controversial issues like 1MDB and the purchase of a piece of land by Tabung Haji.

However, at 10.30am, the organisers cancelled the dialogue after a commotion occurred outside Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, PWTC, with one person reportedly arrested by police.