Police open three investigation papers over PKR's illegal political rallies

Police are investigating Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for holding three political rallies without permits in their campaign for the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary by-election.

Police spokesman for the by-election, ACP Azmi Adam said the rallies were held around Permatang Pauh on Friday night.

"Since nomination on Friday until last night, we received 15 police reports, and of the number, three investigation papers have been opened against PKR for holding political talks without permits.

"The three cases are being investigated under Section 24B(3) of the Election Offences Act 1954 and police have recorded statements from the relevant parties to assist in the probe," he told a media conference here, on Monday.

The Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election is being called after incumbent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was disqualified as the elected representative when a petition for royal pardon against his imprisonment filed by his family was rejected by the Pardons Board.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year imprisonment at the Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor for sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The Permatang Pauh by-election set for May 7 sees a four-corner fight between Anwar's wife as PKR candidate, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Suhaimi Sabudin (Barisan Nasional), Salleh Isahak (Independent) and Azman Shah Othman (Parti Rakyat Malaysia).

Azmi advised all contending political parties to apply for police permit before holding political talks, which would accommodate police to set up a monitoring team and patrolling officers to avoid unnecessary incidents.

He said the application would also enable police to recommend suitable venues for the contending parties to avoid clash of political talks taking place at the same venue or close to one another, which would eventually create tensions or squabbles.

Till last night, a total of 36 political talks were held, where PKR held 32 and four by BN, he said, adding that the current campaign situation was under control.

Meanwhile, he said an investigation was underway following a report lodged by independent candidate, Salleh over leaflet distribution of false information about him by political saboteurs, citing he is a PKR committee member and former PKR secretary for the Permatang Pauh branch.