Penang Government and cops headed for showdown
(The Star) – GEORGE TOWN: The police and the state government are heading for a showdown as the state is planning to proceed with its “thanksgiving mega ceramah” in the Esplanade tonight although the police have not approved the permit application for the gathering.
Deputy Chief Minister I Mohd Rashid Hasnon said the state notified the police yesterday that the event was an official state function and was not being organised by Pakatan Rakyat.
Furthermore, he said the venue for the gathering was not at any of the places stipulated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as prohibited areas, such as the airport, dams, hospital or places used for religious ceremonies.
The police said the permit application was rejected because the organiser failed to comply with certain requirements, including giving a 10-day notice prior to the event.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said the proposed location for the gathering was also unsuitable due to concerns over public safety as the Esplanade was a popular spot for tourists especially on weekends.
Mohd Rashid told a press conference here yesterday that even if the police continued to refuse to issue a permit for the gathering, the state would proceed as planned.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang, who was also present at the press conference, clarified that he had on Wednesday applied for a police permit under the name of Pakatan.
He said police had approved the permit, provided it was moved to the City Stadium.
“We felt it was too small to accommodate the expected crowd of 60,000 and would cause a massive traffic jam.
“To make it easier, we felt that the event was best organised under the state.”
