COPS FORCED TO CANCEL PERMIT
Deputy CPO cites ‘credible threat to safety, public order’
KALBANA PERIMBANAYAGAM SHAH ALAM kalbana@nstp.com.my
THE police have retracted the permit for a debate between Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, citing security concerns.
Selangor deputy police chief DCP Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said the police were forced to retract the permit as the April 7 debate posed a “credible threat” to safety, security and public order.
He said the police, on Saturday, had notified the debate’s organiser of the decision. The retraction was made after taking into account several possible threats highlighted in police intelligence reports.
“The intelligence reports we received have given us a strong reason to believe that if the debate goes on, it could cause a disruption to public order and security. This includes the possibility of trouble before and after the debate,” Fuad said at the Selangor police headquarters here yesterday.
He said an official letter was issued to the debate organiser, adding that the event would be deemed illegal should the organiser insist on holding it on Friday.
“We also received 18 police reports from people who are against the debate. Most are residents who live near the debate venue at Karangkraf Group’s complex in Shah Alam.”
Fuad said the debate, if allowed to carry on, would pose a security threat to residents who lived in and near the area.
“After considering all these aspects and possibilities, we have decided to retract the approval initially given to the organisers.”
Fuad did not rule out the possibility of the event organiser changing the venue and postponing the debate until further notice before re-applying for a permit.
Dr Mahathir had challenged Nazri to debate issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad and Bumiputra Malaysia Finance controversies, and the RM2.6 billion donation from the Saudi royal family.