PKR leader prevented from holding ceramah

A scuffle broke out between PKR and BN supporters in Johor Baru last night, preventing PKR communications chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from holding a ceramah.

Nik Nazmi (right) said some 70 youths wearing BN and Umno T-shirts and carrying BN flags twice prevented him entering the ceramah venue in Taman Sri Stulang about 8pm.

On the first attempt, he said, he was confronted by a group of about 20 residents and people wearing Umno T-shirts and had to leave as tension built up.

"Police told them that they do not have the right to stop our ceramah, but they called more of their friends over and the situation became tense," Nik Nazmi, who is also the Seri Setia assemblyperson, told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

On his second attempt through another entrance, he said, he was stopped again and this time he and his vehicle were kicked, until police came to break up the scuffle.

While there were dents on the vehicle, he said nobody, including himself, suffered any injury from the scuffle.

He lodged a police report at the Majidee police station at 10pm before asking for police escort to retrieve items left at the venue, such as tents and a local PKR leader's car.

"They still tried to surround us but with the heavy police presence, we were able to leave with our stuff (at 11pm)," Nik Nazmi said, praising the police as professional.

[More to follow]