Tun M-Nazri debate would have caused public disorder: IGP

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pix) said police stopped the debate between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz as it would inevitably create public disorder.
He said police were merely exercising powers vested in the Police Act 1967 which conferred them with discretionary powers to carry out duties in the interest of the public.
He added when discretion means denial, it must be understood that police is exercising its authority and judgement based on evidence of a potential threat to the safety of the public.
"As such, to say that the police have indirectly obstructed the freedom of speech is irrational," he said in a statement today.
On April 2, Selangor police announced that the highly anticipated debate, which was scheduled to take place at the Karangkraf media group headquarters in Shah Alam on April 7, has been cancelled due to a credible threat to public safety.
Selangor deputy police chief DCP Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latif said public objections in the form of police reports had been lodged all over the state.
The debate was supposed to have taken place in Kuala Kangsar on March 25 but was cancelled after Perak police refused to issue a permit.