Police to call witnesses of Anwar ceramah fracas

Police will call witnesses on the quarrel between supporters of two political parties during a public ceramah by opposition leaders at the 8th Mile, Jalan Gombak, here, last night.

Gombak deputy police chief Supt Rosly Hassan said police had a video recording of the 9.30pm incident in which two men, both aged 37, were hurt.

"The case is investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for possessing dangerous weapons during a ceramah," he told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the commotion took place when about 250 men became unhappy because the ceramah, attended by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, was held close to their homes.

The victims were treated at the Selayang and Kuala Lumpur Hospital as outpatients and police had recorded their statements, he said.

Rosly said the organiser of the ceramah did not give 10 days' notice to hold the function as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Gombak Umno Youth chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin claimed the protest against the ceramah was conducted peacefully.

"But, supporters of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) suddenly taunted and provoked us and even threw objects such as stones, pots and pans, wok and drink containers," he said.

He claimed Pakatan Rakyat supporters started the provocation by holding the function in front of the North Gombak Polling District operations room when Umno Youths were also having a programme.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua, when contacted, regretted the incident and lauded police investigation.

- Bernama