A scuffle broke out between PKR and BN supporters in Johor Baru last night, preventing PKR communications chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from holding a ceramah.

NONE Nik Nazmi ( right ) said some 70 youths wearing BN and Umno T-shirts and carrying BN flags twice prevented him entering the ceramah venue in Taman Sri Stulang about 8pm.

He also claimed that local PKR supporters had identified one of those involved as a local Umno leader.

On the first attempt, he said, he was confronted by a group of about 20 residents and people wearing Umno T-shirts.

He said that the group was shouting vulgarities at his entourage - also numbering at about 20 people - and had to leave as tension built up.

"Police told them that they do not have the right to stop our ceramah, but they called more of their friends over and the situation became tense," Nik Nazmi, who is also the Seri Setia assemblyperson, told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

On his second attempt through another entrance, he said, he was stopped again and this time he and his vehicle were kicked, until police came to break up the scuffle.

“They called the first group to come over. At first, we wanted to go in by car, but it was kicked.

“When we came out to proceed on foot, they stopped us again, and the police came to form a human wall between us and them.

“At that time, one or two of them kicked me in the leg. The situation was heating up so we decided to leave, and then they started to attack our car again,” he said.

While there were dents on the vehicle, he said nobody, including himself, suffered any injury from the scuffle.

The entire episode lasted from about 8pm to 9.30pm, while the ceramah itself was slated for 8.30pm.

NONE He lodged a police report at the Majidee police station at 10pm before asking for police escort to retrieve items left at the venue, such as tents and a local PKR leader's car.

"They still tried to surround us but with the heavy police presence, we were able to leave with our stuff (at 11pm)," Nik Nazmi said, praising the police as professional.

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