Cops gave nod for Anwar's Sembrong ceramah

The fracas at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s ceramah in Sembrong, Johor, last Sunday was uncalled for, said Johor PKR information chief Syed Hamid Ali, adding that the event was arranged after a police permit was obtained.

“The police had issued a permit for the gathering but it was disturbed from the beginning to the end by irresponsible parties with the goal to create chaos and disorder,” said Syed Hamid (left) in a statement today.

Anwar was greeted with hostility as demonstrators threw stones, wood and firecrackers as well as kicked at his Mercedes Benz, resulting in a cracked windscreen and a dented door.

The ceramah, organised at the PKR office at Jalan Mersing at about 11.30pm, was also repeatedly disrupted by youths who were shouting vulgarity at Anwar, blasting their motorcycle horns and revving the engines.

Syed Hamid accused local Umno supporters of being behind the provocation which led to a scuffle between the attendees and demonstrators.

“We were informed, one person was lightly injured after being hit by an elastic; a wooden rod was thrown at an elderly man injuring him; the Keadilan flag was burned; and Anwar’s vehicle was vandalised,” said Syed Hamid.

Demanding that the police investigate the matter “professionally”, Syed Hamid also urged Sembrong Umno MP and division chief Hishammuddin Hussein to take on the responsibility for the incident.

Kluang district police chief Abdul Majid Mohd Ali had alleged that no permit was obtained for the night ceramah as reported in Berita Harian.

Nevertheless, yesterday he told Malaysiakini that the incident is being investigated under Sections 148 and 440 of the Penal Code which deals with rioting armed with weapons.