IGP orders KL police to meet rally organisers

By Clara Chooi

January 04, 2012

Tan Sri Ismail Omar said today the police have yet to receive any permit application for the gathering planned for January 9. — file pic

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 4 — Tan Sri Ismail Omar announced today that he has directed the Kuala Lumpur police to meet organisers of next week’s planned rally.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) confirmed that he has yet to receive any permit application for the event, organised by PKR as a show of support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his impending Sodomy 2 verdict next Monday.

“I have asked the KL police chief to call the organisers ... I am not sure if they have met but instructions have been given,” he told a press conference here.

When asked if the police planned to obtain any restraining order to bar supporters from congregating at the High Court on Monday, Ismail shook his head.

He said the police would first “monitor” the situation to determine if the gathering is likely to cause public disorder and turn chaotic.

“We will see the situation first. What we do next will be based on existing laws and powers accorded to the police,” he said.

When asked if KL will be on lockdown on Monday, Ismail said the police will first monitor the situation to determine if roadblocks are necessary.

PKR announced yesterday the rally is a show of support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. — file pic

“We need to ensure that traffic runs smoothly on that day. We will be monitoring the situation,” he said.

Ismail also urged the public and the organisers to be responsible, warning them against inciting others to behave violently during the gathering.

“So, do not be taken in by SMSes and such ... because to me, this is incitement. If we incite others to do something that is against the law, that is bad,” he said.

PKR’s deputy president Azmin Ali announced yesterday that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be amassing a rally of over 100,000 people in a show support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next Monday when the High Court delivers its decision for Sodomy 2.

Anwar, 64, is charged with sodomising former male aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium in upscale Damansara Heights in June 2008, a few months before returning from a decade in the political wilderness and winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

This represents the second time he has been prosecuted for sodomy.

If found guilty, he could spend up to 20 years behind bars but will escape the caning penalty as he is over 60. It would effectively spell the end of his political career and his chance to be prime minister.