GE14: IGP says 1,100 possible troublemakers identified
MOHD AZAM SHAH YAACOB
New Straits Times22 March 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified more than 1,100 people whom they believe have the “potential” to cause problems, or “surprise last minute attacks” (SLMA) during the 14th general election (GE14).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the list of these people had been drawn up based on an analysis of, among others, prior records of their involvement in “attacks”, especially on social media.
He said most of these people were those who provoked sentiment by spreading fake news.
“Among the fake news spread by these people are that there are phantom voters, or that there would be outside elements involved, including Islamic State attacks,” he told reporters after opening a meeting of senior police officers at the Police College in Cheras.
Fuzi said police, however, have not ruled out the possibility that the list could grow in the near future.
“If there is a need, if there are more people who attract our attention, then we will add to the list. This is not a threat, but is a normal thing for us to do so as to ensure that the general election proceeds without incident,” he said.
Fuzi said the list also included those who have, in the past, caused trouble.
“If there is a need to act, we will deploy teams from the Criminal Investigation Department to take immediate action. If there is trouble, and those responsible continue to be stubborn and carry on causing trouble (after police have warned them to stop), we have the power under the law to take hard action,” he said.
Fuzi said police had also identified 116 “hotspots” and possible flashpoints in the peninsula and another 33 in Sabah and Sarawak. © New Straits Times Press
