Say sorry to Azmin? No way, say police

In the face of legal action, Ampang Jaya police have refused to apologise to PKR deputy president for disrupting a Pakatan ceramah.

PETALING JAYA: Ampang Jaya police have refused to apologise to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali for disrupting a Pakatan Rakyat ceramah last Friday and “raiding” his house on Sunday night.

The ceramah in Taman Melawati, Gombak, turned ugly when policemen stopped PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim from delivering his speech. An angry mob allegedly attacked the police.

The police also came under fire for allegedly showing up at Azmin’s home night to serve a notice on him to assist them in the investigation of the ruckus.

“Why should we apologise? We are merely executing our duties. Only one car was there with three officers,” said Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Amiruddin Jamaluddin.

He said that the police were merely handing over a notice to Azmin to show up to aid in the investigations.

There was no need for “20 to 30″ special branch officers (to do the job), as claimed by Azmin’s supporters.

“Why do we need 30 men just to hand over a document? Can you show me who are the 30 people? If you can point them out, we will investigate who are the ones who intimidated him (Azmin),” Amiruddin said.

Defending the action of the police to stop Anwar’s speech, Amiruddin said the crowd was given “15 minutes” to disperse and not “15 minutes to finish off the speech”.

“He (Azmin) needs to understand. He misinterpreted my meaning. Fifteen minutes was the time given to disperse because the gathering had no permit,” he said.

Amiruddin said that he did not wish to prolong the matter as Azmin and the other leaders called up had already agreed to assist the police.

Azmin, the Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman and Gombak MP, has agreed to meet police tomorrow.

Azmin claimed that four police cars, including two unknown vehicles, arrived at his home that night. He said their presence amounted to a form of harassment and intimidation towards him and his family.

Besides Azmin, Amirudin Shari (Batu Caves assemblyman) and Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang assemblyman) were also served notices.

Azmin called the police “unprofessional” and had asked his lawyers to send a letter to demand an apology from them or face legal action.

When asked if he had received the letter, Amiruddin said: “I don’t know… I’ll have to check.” - FMT