Police deny Anwar's claim over ceramah cancellation

2009/11/24

JOHOR BARU: The police today denied that they had been prompted by Umno to cancel a "ceramah" (talk) attended by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kulai two days ago.

"Kulaijaya district police chief Supt Zulkefly Yahya said the police had not approved the permit for the ceramah and had also not taken instructions from Umno as alleged by Anwar.

"As the district police chief, I had not approved the permit, and I advised the organiser not to go ahead with the ceramah but my advice was ignored," he said in a statement issued here.

Zulkefly said the permit was denied owing to factors associated with security and public order, besides averting slander by certain people which could confuse the audience.

Newspapers reported today that Anwar had written in his blog that the ceramah was cancelled because the permit issued was withdrawn after a protest by 30 Umno Youth members.

He reportedly said that he was able to speak for only four minutes before the audience dispersed.
-- BERNAMA

As usual, the police always deny allegations hurled against them. Is Anwar so powerful an orator? Is the police so weak that they cannot 'crowd control' and contain public disorder?