Excessive police presence at Pelangai undemocratic, causing uneasiness - Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR - Pas claims the unusual presence of authorities in various campaign activities organised by the party in the Pelangai State Assembly by-election has caused its supporters to feel uneasy.

Its Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the action could also give an unhealthy image to the country's democratic practices.

He urged the government agencies to be more rational in carrying out their responsibilities to maintain the peace and security of the people.

"I spent a lot of days in Pelangai. One issue we want to raise for the government to pay attention to is the unusual presence of police officers with their patrol cars, special branch men to the point that it has caused a feeling of uneasiness among the people.

"The presence of patrol cars is too frequent at operational bases, especially those belonging to Perikatan Nasional under the pretext of obtaining information on the strength of officers and work movements. For me, this matter has nothing to do with the police.

"I am a former law minister, and we were in the government, but we have never asked the police to do unnecessary actions," he said during a special press conference at the Pas General Headquarters here on Friday.

Takiyuddin added that as a registered political party, the authorities do not need to take inappropriate actions including making inspections too often.

"We have an office that is registered as our operational mark. There is no need to go and create fear in the public. This is not good in terms of democratic practices," he said.

He said he would personally raise the matter in the next Dewan Rakyat session.

The Election Commission has set Oct 7 for voting day, while Oct 3 for the early voting date.

The Pelangai seat was declared vacant following the death of its incumbent Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Johari Harun, who was one of the 10 victims in the aircraft crash at Elmina, Shah Alam in Selangor on Aug 17.

The by-election is witnessing a three-cornered fight BN candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, PN candidate Kasim Samat and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.