PDRM disallow opposition rally at Padang Timur

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have disallowed the Opposition rally planned for Saturday at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya, citing security reasons.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said they had received four reports from local residents who objected to the rally in the area and thus would not support the application.

"Firstly, it will be inconvenient to the local residents. I was told that about 20,000 people would be present while Padang Timur can only accommodate not more than 10,000 people.

"Imagine the small area packed with so many people and the bad traffic congestion since it is near the federal highway" he told a news conference in conjunction with 'Breakfast Talk Integrity' at the Police Training Centre Pulapol), here today.

Mohamad Fuzi suggested that the rally be moved to Kelana Jaya Stadium which is located 10km from Padang Timur because the area is more well planned and will allow crowd control by PDRM.

"It is up to them (organiser) whether to accept our suggestion or not. We have laws and the Peaceful Assembly Act. Anything can happen during rallies and PDRM will be blamed if anything bad happens."

On another note, he said Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Organisation (Aswaja) president Zamihan Mat Zin would be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly criticising the Sultan of Johor recently.

"Police have received a report and no arrests have been made. No further comment. "

The media reported that Zamihan allegedly criticised the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar who criticised the operator of a laundrette in Muar for declining to serve non-Muslim customers.

--BERNAMA