Trouble if Dr M-Nazri dialogue went ahead, senior cop says

(MMO) – Police intelligence indicated that trouble would break out if the April 7 dialogue between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz were allowed to proceed as planned.

To prevent this, a decision was made to cancel an earlier permit granted to the organiser for the event, Selangor deputy police chief Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini as telling reporters today.

“Police intelligence showed that there are certain parties who will be out to cause disruption on that date if the programme was to proceed,” he was quoted saying.

The senior policeman was also reported saying 18 reports had been filed against the event being staged at the Karangkraf Media Group’s premises in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Selangor police withdrew approval to organiser Karangkraf Media Group, the publisher of Malay daily Sinar Harian, yesterday evening.

Karangkraf Media Group managing director Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub was reportedly vexed at the permit revocation within 24 hours of getting the permit and decided to call off the event all together after the latest cancellation.

“The reason given was there were objections from residents and after study and consideration from the aspect of public order the approval for this peaceful assembly is cancelled.

“With this cancellation, we have decided not to continue this dialogue,” Hussamuddin was quoted saying in report last night by Sinar Harian.

The much-anticipated face-off between the former prime minister and the tourism and culture minister was originally scheduled for March 25 at the Mara Junior Science College in Kuala Kangsar, Perak but was postponed after Perak police withheld permission.

Dr Mahathir was also reportedly disgruntled at losing the chance to debate with Nazri.

In a separate report today, Sinar Harian quoted the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman rubbishing speculations that the dialogue was cancelled due to objections by residents in the neighbourhood.

“Not like anyone lives there, there are only factories there,” he was quoted saying at a ceramah attended by some 4,000 people in Taman Paya Rumput Bestari, Malacca last night.

He was further reported saying that he had expected the programme would not proceed.

“I had expected he would not be brave enough, however, I will wait for another chance if any,” he was quoted saying, though it was unclear whom he was referring to.