Today’s rally is a go, insists Pakatan
IGP: There are reasons why the police are against the venue for the rally
kumar@thestar.com.my KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan is adamant about going ahead with its planned rally at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya although police are firmly rejecting the venue.
Amanah Youth vice-chief Faiz Fadzil said the organisers will proceed with the rally today in accordance with plans made two months ago.
“(Publicity for) the event has gone viral so the police should have known about it from the beginning.
“As far as the rally’s legality is concerned, it is legitimate because the venue owner, the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, has granted a permit.
“The police should facilitate our event in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act,” Faiz said.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said there are reasons why police are against the venue for the rally.
He said 27 police reports have been lodged against the gathering.
“It is the municipal council’s right to approve the use of the venue as its owner but we will not budge from our decision,” he told a press conference at the Police Training Centre yesterday.
“I am not going to call it illegal but you all know what it means when they do not have a permit (from the police),” he said.
He added that there were other issues, like traffic congestion, to consider.
Fuzi said the rally could be held at the Kelana Jaya Stadium instead.
“If possible, they should hold it there. It will be more organised and easier for the organisers and us to control the crowd.
“If they don’t accept our suggestion, it is up to them,” Fuzi said, adding that police would take action in accordance with the law.
He was speaking after a handing over of duties ceremony that saw Comm Datuk Seri Acryl Abdullah Sani taking over as Bukit Aman Strategic and Technology Resources Department director.
Comm Datuk Amar Singh replaced him as Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director.
About a video clip alleging an extra marital affair between a senior Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) officer and a married woman, Fuzi said a police report has been lodged and the allegation will be investigated.
The three-minute clip, uploaded to YouTube, claims a couple divorced on Sept 28 at the Ulu Klang lower syariah court because of the wife’s alleged affair with the MACC officer.
Several pictures of the officer, woman and her family were shown in the video.