Guan Eng: Police actions meant to intimidate

(The Edge) GEORGE TOWN: Two incidences during separate gatherings by PAS in Bukit Gantang and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Bukit Selambau on Monday night, where police stepped in to disperse the crowds, even resorting to using tear gas, has been described as an act to intimidate voters.

DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng described the police action as "very sad".

In Bukit Selambau, during a gathering which was attended by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, police had fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a crowd of more than 5,000.

Anwar had just started to speak at the ceramah in an open field at Taman Ria Jaya in Sungai Petani when the riot police moved in; more than a dozen people were also arrested.

Police justified their actions by saying the ceramah had no police permit.

Lim said the police were trying to intimidate the voters with fear.

"Despite the PR (Pakatan Rakyat) being the ruling party in Kedah, police had no regards nor respect and acted as though it was a police state," Lim said. "They are propagating the force of fear, oppression and dictatorial methods just to scare the people.

"I urge voters not to fear nor bow to such ruthless actions and show the police, they will not be intimidated, come April 7," he added.

In Bukit Gantang, where the candidacy of Datuk Mohammad Nizar Jamaludin was announced, police also moved in to disperse the crowds.

According to PAS vice president Mohamad Sabu, the gathering had a permit from 8pm to midnight.

"Police said the permit was just issued for the candidate to be announced. Everyone knows that it takes only two minutes for the announcement to be made; we were given a permit for four hours," he said at the same press conference with Lim.

He also criticised the decision by the Home Ministry to ban PAS' Harakah and PKR's Suara Keadilan for three months, without any reasons being given.

Mohamad Sabu said these incidences were clear indicators of the new leadership of the country, which will be headed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"We are getting a taste of his leadership style, which is not welcoming at all.

"We believe the voters in Bukit Gantang and also Bukit Selambau will reject outright this form of repressive leadership," he added.

He expressed confidence that the PAS and PKR candidates in both constituencies will be elected with bigger majorities this time around, similar to those garnered during the Kuala Terengganu and Permatang Pauh by-elections last year.