Police will act against ceramah troublemakers

Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar has given his assurance that his force will take action against groups terrorising political ceramah and pledged to ensure a safe and peaceful GE13.

"We will of course follow the letter of the law. Whether it is a small group, or a big group or individuals, anyone who tries to do something that breaks the law, we will act," he told reporters at a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.

Asked to respond on the rise in the attacks by the groups as polls near, Ismail gave the assurance that the police will investigate any report made on such disturbances.

Several opposition and NGO ceramah have fallen prey to attacks by groups of hooligans, some identified as BN and Umno supporters.

It included an incident where Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's car was stoned and damagedwhile on the way to a ceramah in Johor.

The opposition and NGOs have hit out at the slow, and at times absent, police action against the culprits. Some even accused the force of being in cahoots with the attackers.

Pledge to ensure safe polls

Asked about the force's overall state of readiness in the face of an impending general election, Ismail said that they are always on their toes.

"The closer it is, the more ready we are. I have ordered the Internal Security and Public Order director to report to me often on the state of training for our officers, so that we can review," he said.

"We have talked to the Election Commission on their needs in terms of security and the police role in it. We have also conducted post-mortem of the many by-elections of previous years.

"We are ready to do our duty and ensure that the election will proceed in peace and safety."