Mukhriz says no to organiser of Pakatan rally

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said he would not allow Pakatan Rakyat to hold a rally at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Suka Menanti on Tuesday for it (rally) was not a wise thing to do.

Mukhriz said although he felt that any group was entitle to hold an assembly, but its purpose should be scrutinised first before approval could be granted.

"Similar rallies held in several places around the country were intended to instil hatred among the participants against Barisan Nasional (BN) which had been given the mandate to run the federal and Kedah governments. This is not acceptable.

"If they just want to assemble, there is no problem. But the rally will be marked by hate speeches punctuated by unfounded allegations and slanders," he told reporters after hosting a thanksgiving reception at Seri Mentaloon, the menteri besar's official residence here today.

Newly appointed Kedah PAS commissioner Datuk Mahfuz Omar today appealed to Mukhriz, as Kedah Stadium Corporation chairman, to allow Pakatan to hold the rally at the stadium in the name of democracy after its application to the stadium's management was rejected.

At the reception, Mukhriz introduced state executive councillors to the media.

Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who is also state BN chairman, was present.