IGP says police ready for Permatang Pauh by-election

Police are fully prepared to face any eventualities during the polling process for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election today said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said there were enough police personnel to carry out their duties and to ensure the voting process was carried out smoothly.

"My presence here (Permatang Pauh) today is to check on the preparations for Thursday which is the polling day. I am happy with the campaigning in Permatang Pauh since nomination day on April 25.

"We are also ready to face any untoward incidents. We have placed officers at all locations to ensure a smooth voting process and smooth traffic flow," he told reporters at the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) police headquarters, here Wednesday.

He said throughout the campaign period, 91 police reports were lodged in relation to election offences and that eight cases were being investigated.

The Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat by-election sees a four-cornered fight between BN Suhaimi Sabudin, PKR President Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Azman Shah Othman (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Salleh Isahak (Independent).

The by-election is being held after incumbent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lost his eligibility as member of parliament when he was convicted of a sodomy charge and sentenced to five years imprisonment.