[UPDATED] Probe into march on Parliament under way: KL top cop

KUALA LUMPUR – An investigation will be carried out on this morning’s march to Parliament after reports were made, said Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim.

In a press conference today, he said this will be done under Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), Section 269 of the Penal Code, and Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

When asked if MPs can enter Parliament although there are no sessions currently, Azmi said they are allowed to because they have offices there.

He said: “Police also received information that there were groups intending to organise a rally called ‘Solidariti Bersama Anwar Ibrahim’ at Parliament, which led police to cordon off its surroundings.

“This is not about the members of Parliament. This is based on information that we received. This is to uphold public order and safety.”

He added that more than 500 officers were mobilised today.

“We checked with Parliament to determine if there’s anything going on and we were informed there were no sessions there today.

“So we erected roadblocks and diversions to deter the crowd from (entering) Parliament.”

He also acknowledged reports made by opposition MPs Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and P. Prabakaran, who filed complaints against the police for blocking the routes to Parliament, saying investigations will be conducted into the matter.

Meanwhile, Azmi said police are looking into participants of Saturday’s #Lawan protest, and presented photos of several individuals identified who will be called up to assist with investigations.

“The purpose of this press conference today is to seek cooperation, because we have photos of these individuals and we believe they can assist in our investigations.

“Police reports have been made against this protest, and we will call up the participants and organisers.” – The Vibes, August 2, 2021