Heavy police presence scaring off ceramah goers - Pendang MP

PELANGAI BY-ELECTION | Pendang MP Awang Hashim claimed that heavy police presence at Perikatan Nasional events is scaring off would-be participants.

Speaking at a ceramah before some 200 people in Simpang Pelangai last night, Awang said PN abided by the law so there was no need for a heavy police presence.

"During the state elections (in August), sometimes the police would fill up our tents. We set up the tents for the public, if they see a lot of police personnel, the public will leave.

"The police can take photographs and do their jobs outside the tents. These tents are for voters.

"The police should do their jobs but be wary of who is giving the orders. They should not follow strange orders," he said.

Pendang MP Awang Hashim

On Sept 29, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan also alleged that an "extraordinary" number of police personnel was following the PN campaign.

Meanwhile, Kuala Terengganu MP Ahmad Amzad Mohamed urged ceramah audience to record government programmes during the campaign to collect evidence of campaign violations.

Amzad, who had his 2022 election victory nullified by the Election Court but was re-elected during a by-election on Aug 12, said he was confident that BN had broken campaign laws.

"There is no need to vote for BN because even if they win, they will end up (having their victory annulled) like me.

"There is a lot of evidence," he said, without elaborating.