POLICE have urged the public not to participate in a gathering allegedly organised by civil society groups at the Al-Mustaghfirin Mosque after Friday prayers tomorrow.

Southwest district acting police chief Jafri Md Zain said no permission was given to any individual or group to gather at the mosque in Sg Tiram, Bayan Lepas, Penang because it was against the regulations under phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan.

“Police received information today that posters and a one-minute-44-seconds video has gone viral on social sites urging the public to attend the gathering to press the Ministry of Health and the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department to allow worshippers to pray in close proximity.

“Preliminary investigation found that the mosque committee and the Southwest Islamic Religious Office have not given any permission to organise the gathering,” he said in a statement today.

In this regard, he said the public is warned not to join the gathering as action could be taken against them under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) and section 269 of the penal code.

In the video, a man claiming to be representing a group urged the public to be present at the mosque to demand that congregations be allowed to perform prayers in close proximity. – Bernama, December 9, 2021.