The police have declared Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's ceramah tonight in Taiping illegal, resulting to a hasty change of venue to Bukit Gantang.
According to organiser Nordin Jaafar, the event will now be held outside the PAS office in Bukit Cempedak, Bukit Gantang, where a by-election will be held on April 7.
The police have earlier warned the public not to participate in the Taiping ceramah.
The ceramah, which is expected to draw thousands of supporters, will be held in Simpang.
Taiping district police chief Raja Musa Raja Razak was reported in Bernama today as saying that the venue was not suitable to hold a ceramah as it was located near the main road.
He added that the ceramah would affect traffic flow and public safety.
"Police will take stern action against those who stage or participate in the assembly," he said.
When asked to comment on the police move, Anwar asked mockingly: "Is this new?"
"It happens all the time," he told reporters in Parliament, adding that the organisers would not be deterred from holding the event.
"We will just say we are having dinner," he quipped.
The ceramah is part of Anwar's visit to Perak and Kedah today and tomorrow.
Ousted Perak MB to speak too
Anwar will be sharing the stage with ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin tonight.
They are expected to talk about the on-going political impasse in the state as a result of the power grab by Barisan Nasional.
Anwar is also expected to touch on the forthcoming by-election in Bukit Gantang.
While Umno has named its candidate for the seat, Pakatan has yet to officially name their choice.
Nizar is believed to be one of the early favourites to contest for the parliamentary seat.
On Friday, Anwar will be in Kedah where he is likely to name S Manimaran as the party's candidate for the Bukit Selambau state seat by-election.
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