Nazri slams police decision to reject debate with Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has criticised the decision by the police to disallow his proposed debate with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad this weekend.
Nazri said the reasons given by acting Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hasnan Hassan for rejecting the organiser's application for a permit are unreasonable, as he had provided assurances that no untoward incident will occur during the debate.
"I have given assurances that nothing untoward will happen. This is why I told Umno members not to attend the debate.
"I'm not looking for a boxing match with him (Dr Mahathir). Perhaps they are afraid I will be rude, but I won't because he was once my boss," Nazri, who is Tourism and Culture Minister, told reporters at the Parliament lobby Tuesday.
DCP Hasnan said earlier Tuesday that police had rejected the application by debate organiser Kumpulan Media Karangkraf because it did not comply with the 10-day notice requirement under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
He also said that the venue chosen for the debate was a school, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), which is prohibited under the Act.
However, Nazri shot back, saying that the debate does not constitute "public assembly".
"These are not reasons to stop a dialogue. I already have permission from the Mara director, I have spoken to him and a letter has been sent.
"So I don't understand why the police are blocking my right as an individual. I'm a minister, Dr Mahathir is former prime minister; since when have we become a police state?" he said.
However, Nazri said he is unfazed by the decision of the police and will still be at the debate venue on Saturday.
"I will be there regardless … and I ask the organiser to pursue this matter further," he added.
Nazri and Dr Mahathir are scheduled to debate on several national issues on March 25 at the MRSM Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Kangsar, in Nazri's constituency of Padang Rengas.
This was after the former prime minister challenged Nazri to a debate on March 10.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/21/nazri-slams-police-decision-to-reject-debate-with-dr-m/#78FQDhYTWC8eGzuw.99
Dr M-Nazri debate: Police say no
IPOH: Police have rejected the permit application for a debate between Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Acting Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hasnan Hassan said the Kuala Kangsar district police had studied the application and felt it was not in the best interest of the people there.
"We have taken into consideration factors pertaining to safety, public order and protection of public rights and freedom.
"Kuala Kangsar OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq rejected the permit application and verbally informed the organiser, Kumpulan Media Karangkraf, on Monday," DCP Hasnan said in a statement Tuesday.
"The organiser was also late in submitting the application, and only did so on March 20 at 3pm," he said, adding that it fell short of the 10-day requirement as required under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
The much-anticipated debate between Dr Mahathir and Nazri was scheduled to take place at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) in Kati, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, on March 25.
DCP Hasnan said the permit was denied because the venue chosen was a school, which was a prohibited premises under the First Schedule in Section 3 of the Peaceful Assembly Act.
"The police have also received written objections. Eight police reports have been made by the public and residents living near MRSM.
"They are worried for the safety of their families as it involves their interests and well-being.
"The Third Schedule of the Act also clearly states that any assembly or dialogue of this nature is not categorised as a permitted assembly," DCP Hasnan said.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/21/no-go-for-dr-m-nazri-debate/#VLMpZSsmvbOMTg94.99
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