Revocation of Tun M-Nazri debate permit: No political interference, says DPM

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied that there was political interference in the revocation of the permit for the debate between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said the decision to revoke the permit for the debate on April 7 in Shah Alam was made by Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat.

The debate was initially scheduled to be held in Kuala Kangsar on March 25 but Perak acting police chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan did not issue a permit.

"The decisions were operational and not even referred to me as Home Minister or to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak)," he told reporters during a visit to the International Modern Arabic School here today.

On whether the decision would be reviewed, Ahmad Zahid said he would look at the reasons for the decisions taken by the Selangor police chief and Perak acting police chief.

"I have to study the reasons why the debate was cancelled. If we feel the debate should be carried on, then we will ask the police to give permit," he said.

However, he said, should the police advise that the debate should not take place, he would respect the decision.

On Sunday, Selangor deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff was quoted as saying that the debate between Dr Mahathir and Mohamed Nazri at Kompleks Karangkraf, Shah Alam had been cancelled due to the threat to security and public order.

The debate was initially proposed to be held at Dewan Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), Kati, Kuala Kangsar but cancelled by Perak Police based on the same factors.

-- BERNAMA