Police probing three PKR ‘illegal’ ceramah in Permatang Pauh polls

GEORGE TOWN, April 27 — Police have opened investigations on three PKR ceramah held last Saturday during the Permatang Pauh by-election for allegedly not having permits.

Permatang Pauh by-election police spokesperson ACP Azmi Adam said the three ceramah are being investigated under Section 24B of the Elections Offences Act 1954, which is punishable under Section 24B (3) of the same Act.

"From April 24 until last night, a total 36 ceramahs were held and out of that, 32 are by PKR and four by Barisan Nasional (BN)," Azmi said at a press conference at the Central Seberang Perai district police headquarters today.

This is the third day of the campaign for the by-election and Azmi said they have received 15 police reports, including over the three allegedly illegal ceramah.

Azmi reminded all political parties to apply for permits if they want to hold ceramah throughout the campaign period (until midnight of May 6).

He also denied PKR's allegations that the police had interfered with their campaign by calling in their campaign workers to give statements

"We did not interfere with any campaign or ceramahs and we did not receive any reports of any sabotage," said Azmi.

Earlier, Machang Bubuk state assemblyman Lee Khai Loon accused the police of sabotaging PKR's campaign by calling in its campaign workers to have their statements recorded.

"Lee can lodge a police report if he suspects any element of sabotage but I want to stress we do not interfere in any political party's campaign," he said.

He also advised political parties, their candidates and supporters to adhere to the law when campaigning.

"Supporters should not disrupt their political opponents' ceramahs and not damage their opponents' posters," he said.

He also told political parties to stay away from sensitive issues such as race and religion, and warned them against bribing voters and bringing weapons to ceramah.

Azmi confirmed they had received the police report lodged by independent candidate Salleh Isahak, but no investigation papers have been opened.

"In his report, Salleh alleged three men had accused him of being a Permatang Pauh PKR committee member and showed him documents proving that, but we did not open any investigation papers because he could not provide us with the said documents," he said.