POLITICAL parties are only required to fill a form during the campaign period in the Tg Piai by-election and no permit is needed for walkabouts, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador clarified today.

The top cop said there was confusion on the matter while affirming that he is not stopping any parties from campaigning.

“I think there is a misunderstanding here. It is only to fill up a form, to place your name and address and to ensure there will be no problems during the campaign period.

“I am not stopping anyone, either from Pakatan Harapan or from Barisan Nasional. I want to celebrate democracy but I do have concerns about safety and peace.

“I do not want trouble or fighting between rival parties. I am also not being pressured by anybody, my only concern is on the safety of the people,” he said today at the Jerantut Primary School.

Hamid also assured that all is well in Tg Piai.

“I have been there twice and I was informed that things are peaceful and in place. Although there are FRU units, they are there to make sure things are okay. There is nothing to worry about,” he said.

Both PH and BN have expressed unhappiness with the cops recently for issuing a new permit requirement for walkabouts.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged the police to consider the proposal.

Opposition chief Ismail Sabri Yaakob and electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 blamed the Election Commission but the polls body said it is illegal for the electoral body to defy the police.

“It was decided that the police will ask candidates and parties involved in campaigning to abide by several conditions which have been set.

“As for Bersih’s suggestion that the EC should reject the police’s decision or condition, may I remind Bersih that I was appointed as chairman of the EC to uphold the law and not to disregard the law,” he had said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Hamid said he had instructed Johor police chief Mohd Kamarudin Md Din to clarify the matter.

“I have told the police chief in Johor to clarify this matter. It is a small misunderstanding,” Hamid added.

Kamarudin had previously issued a statement urging all parties contesting in Tg Piai to apply for a permit for walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning.

He said it was to ensure security and prevent clashes between supporters of rival candidates.

The Tg Piai by-election is set to take place this Saturday. The seat became vacant following the passing of its incumbent Md Farid Md Rafik in September.

The by-election will see a six-way contest between PH’s Karmaine Sardini, BN’s Wee Jeck Seng, Gerakan’s Wendy Subramaniam, Berjasa’s Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz, and two independent candidates Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abdul Ghaffar. – November 14, 2019.