IGP assures police help in Dec 16 rally

But he says the protest against KL rates hike must follow PAC guidelines.

SHAH ALAM: Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has assured Pakatan Rakyat activists that his men would assist them in their Dec 16 rally against the Kuala Lumpur assessment rate hike as long as they abide by guidelines given in the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAC).

“Follow the rules stated in the law,” he said. “If the guidelines are followed, we will cooperate with them. No problem. But if the rules are not followed, we can’t help them.”

Speaking to reporters here, Khalid said he had yet to receive information about the rally.

“They have to deal with the district police chief, but so far I have not received any information from my men.”

Last week, opposition MP’s representing Kuala Lumpur constituencies told the press they planned to rally at Dataran DBKL on Dec 16.

This came after DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) had sent out a notice to property owners informing them of the impending rise in assessment rates. In some cases, the hike would be as high 1,000%.

The MPs called for a lower increase, saying 10% to 15% would be reasonable.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar urged property owners to send their objection letters before the rates were finalised. DBKL had set Dec 17 as the deadline for objections.

Batu MP Tian Chua said if property owners did not write in with their objection, City Hall would assume they had consented to the hike.

Khalid was also asked to comment on Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s allegation that PAS Deputy President Mohamad Sabu was a follower of the Syiah branch of Islam.

He said he would leave it to the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) to investigate.

“Let Jakim handle it as it is the responsible body to investigate the matter,” he said. “But if needed, we will assist them.”

Zahid made the allegation at last weekend’s Umno General Assembly. He did not name Mohamad, referring only to the “PAS Number Two leader”.