Police Prepared To Approve Permit For Rally Outside Capital - Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The police are prepared to issue a permit to hold a rally tomorrow if it is held outside the capital, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said it could be obtained quickly and there was no problem with approval.

However, the police had banned assemblies by any groups in the capital tomorrow, he told a news conference here today.

"Since July 3, the police have been preparing for any eventualities and will take stern action against those who are still adamant about having it in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Hishammuddin said the police had acted fairly in not issuing any permits to hold rallies at Stadium Merdeka, including from Umno and Perkasa.

He advised the public not to listen to rumours, including those spread via text messaging.

"To allay public fears, the police have set up hotlines at 03-21460524 and 03-21460525 for inquiries or information," he said.

Asked if the planned rally had been called off by the organiser, Hishammuddin said he had no knowledge about it.

"We are willing to allow the rally to be held outside Kuala Lumpur. If they accept the offer, it will take the worries off the minds of the people and the police," he said.

Asked whether the armed forces will be involved in maintaining public order, he said the police was still in complete control of the situation.

"However, it will depend on the circumstances," he added.

Meanwhile, the Dang Wangi police today rejected an application for a permit to hold a rally tomorrow from a woman, who identified herself as an officer from the Selangor Community Awareness Programme.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Mohamad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said the decision was made in order to safeguard public safety.

He said according to the woman, about 100,000 people would attend the rally.

Therefore, action will be taken under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act 1967 if the rally was going to be held, he told reporters here today.

"However, the organiser could still make an appeal in writing within 24 hours from the time the application was rejected to Kuala Lumpur acting police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh," said Mohamad Zulkarnain.

He said the Dang Wangi police also rejected an application from Umno Youth to hold a rally tomorrow on the same ground last week.