Police say no to Dr Mahathir-Nazri debate

Police have rejected Kumpulan Media Karangkraf's application to organise a debate between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, which is scheduled this Saturday.

Perak acting police chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan said the application was rejected after taking into consideration factors of safety, public order and protection of public rights and freedom.

He said the organisers had submitted the application form late and the venue chosen, the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), was a school - a restricted premise under Section 3 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Hasnan said, according to Section 9 (1) of APA 2012, the organisers shall produce a notification to the officer in charge namely the district police chief within 10 days before the gathering.

"Kuala Kangsar District Police Chief ACP Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq only recieved the application from the organiser at 3pm on March 20, 2017 (Monday)," he said in a statement, here today.

He said eight police reports have also been lodged by the public and local residents who were concerned about their own safety including their families.

Hasnan said that an official notification will be hand delivered to the organiser today, in which they have already been informed of the decision to deny the permit yesterday.

He warned that stern action will be taken according to the law if the debate goes on.