Police deny Tun M would be arrested - IGP

Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has denied allegations that the police will arrest Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his appearance at the Bersih rally last month.

Tan Sri Khalid however said that the police would contact the former prime minister to set an appointment to record his statement.

"I never said that he was to be arrested. What I said was that we had received a police report stating that he had spoken at the Bersih event and that we would be opening an investigation paper. We will not call him to come but we will send our officers to record his statement to complete the investigation. We will also make an appointment with him," he told a press conference after a ceremony involving the presentation of the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara today.

He was commenting on a statement by by Dr. Mahathir, who said that he was ready to cooperate with the police. He said this upon his arrival at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Khalid stressed that the police would not allow any party plans to organize a red shirt rally in Kuala Lumpur on September 16.

The decision was after taking into account factors such as security and public order.

"I urge the organizers to find a suitable location for the safety of the people. Use Bersih as as example and I hope that the organizers will think rationally for our country’s safety,” said Khalid.

The Pehimpunan Maruah Melayu , also known as the "Red Shirts" are expected to gather on September 16 in response to the Bersih rally on August 29 and 30.

The organizers were reported to hold the rallies at areas like Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street.