KUALA LUMPUR – Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police will call opposition MPs and individuals who had gathered on Monday in the capital and attempted to enter the Parliament premises.
In a statement, Acryl Sani said the police have received 260 reports on the incident, incited by the decision to postpone the Dewan Rakyat sittings.
“The police have opened an investigation paper for the reports lodged regarding the march.
“The case will be investigated under Regulation 9 and 10 of the Preventive Regulations and Control of Infectious Diseases (Steps In Local Area Of Infection) (National Recovery Plan) 2021, Section 21A of the Prevention and Control Act Infectious Diseases 1988, Section 269 of the Penal Code and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“In relation to this matter, the police will call individuals involved to complete the investigation paper,” he said.
Acryl Sani also called on all individuals involved in the gathering to provide their full cooperation in the investigation.
“On Sunday, the police had received information that an assembly will be held at the Parliament premises on Monday.
“Taking into account there were no sittings at the building as the session was adjourned, giving MPs no justification to be at the venue, the police had taken the necessary steps to avoid any assembly from being held.
“This is in accordance with the provisions under Regulation 9 and 10 of the Preventive Regulations and Control of Infectious Diseases (Steps In Local Area Of Infection) (National Recovery Plan) 2021 dated July 4, whereby any gathering and marching are prohibited activities during the implementation of the National Recovery Plan,” he added.
On Monday, all roads leading to Parliament were cordoned off by police, including through the set up of a barricade by its Federal Reserve Unit in Jalan Parlimen.
Opposition MPs who marched towards the House from Dataran Merdeka were stopped at the Bulatan Dato Onn-Jalan Parlimen junction through police intervention.
The lawmakers were also soon brought to a standstill at the FRU barricade.
In a press conference later Monday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim had said a probe will be conducted into the march.
He had said the gathering would be investigated under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, Section 269 of the Penal Code, and Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Asked if MPs could enter Parliament despite sessions being suspended, he said they are allowed to do so, as they have offices there.
“Police also received information that there were groups intending to organise a Solidariti Bersama Anwar Ibrahim rally in Parliament, which led police to cordon off the premises.
“This is not about the MPs. This is based on information we received. This is to uphold public order and safety.” – The Vibes, August 3, 2021
