Police caution Besut voters

Police anticipate that many registered voters working elsewhere will be returning home to Kuala Besut vote.

KUALA BESUT:  Voters in the Kuala Besut state by-election have been urged to abide by police instructions and refrain from violating the Election Offences Act to ensure smooth running of the by-election.

Assuring voters of their safety and security, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar urged them to go to the polling stations early.

The police anticipate many registered voters working elsewhere will be returning home to vote, he told reporters after breaking his fast at the Police Tactical Headquarters (Martek) here last night.

Barisan Nasional’s Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman is pitted against PAS’ Endot@Azlan Yusof in the by-election today.

On the promulgation of a bill to replace the Emergency Ordinance 1969, Khalid said the police were still discussing the matter with the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the requirements of the legislation in curbing crime.

“I think it is good that we talk about the pros and cons of the EO abolishment. The development of the new bill will be announced soon. Let the police and the A-G’s Chambers work on it,” he added.

Meanwhile Terengganu police said they had opened investigations papers on the Kuala Besut by-election campaign.

State police chief Jamshah Mustapa said they comprised three ceramah held without permits, damaging banners (two), torching flags (one) and incitement (one).

He said an election banner featuring a picture of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak placed opposite Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Besut was splashed with paint.

“The incident was discovered by Umno supporters who passed by the area and we believe the incident happened this morning(yesterday),” he told a news conference here

Meanwhile, BN Kuala Besut election machinery secretary Salleh Abdul Latif has lodged a report at the Kuala Besut police station on the circulation of false pamphlets on alleged distribution of Hari Raya cash aid.

-Bernama