PELANGAI POLLS | A large police presence during the Pelangai by-election campaign period is to maintain omnipresence and ensure public safety and security, said Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The home minister said this today in response to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s claim of “extraordinary” police presence at the Perikatan Nasional campaign in Pelangai.
Saifuddin said the police would not be present if campaigners did not touch on sensitive issues and divide the nation.
“As long as the relevant parties involved do not raise sensitive sentiments and fuel spirits that may affect unity and public peace, there is no reason for the police to be there.
“There is no need to worry if they are law-abiding citizens,” he told a press conference today.
Takiyuddin previously claimed there was an “extraordinary attendance” of authorities monitoring PN campaigns for its Pelangai candidate Kasim Samat, and this allegedly caused uneasiness among locals.
He claimed the police monitoring Kasim’s walkabouts and house-to-house visits also created reservations among locals to engage with the candidate.
Saifuddin assured that the police remained professional, and the public did not need to worry about their presence, adding that no reports have been lodged involving political parties being prevented from interacting with the people.
“The only thing that has been reported is that the police were present to maintain public order. That’s just a little odd,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister declined to comment on whether he would remain holding the Home Ministry portfolio in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s speculated cabinet reshuffle. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.