An Umno leader today reminded PAS that no country in the world practised absolute democracy without imposing certain limitations on the interests of the people.

Umno information chief Mustapa Mohamed who said this today, added that the governments decision to forbid political parties from holding ceramah (public talks) — especially when elections are not looming — did not mean democratic practices were being restricted.

According to a Bernama report, the Umno leader said the move was to ensure the safety of the people and nation.

"The people have venues to speak in, such as the parliament and state assemblies, and can also pass on their views via newspapers but there must be some control... this does not mean we are restricting democracy," he was quoted as saying.

Mustapa was reacting to Terengganu Menteri Besar and PAS deputy president Abdul Hadi Awangs statement that the opposition party will ignore the ban on ceramah as it did not contravene the Constitution, democracy and Islam.

PAS today had also threatened legal action against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over the ban.

Of late, PAS ceramah have hogged the limelight following allegations of unruly behaviour by its supporters. This prompted Abdullah to urge police to act more aggressively to curb such gatherings.

The police implemented a blanket ban on public assemblies in July last year stating that it would no longer be issuing permits for such gatherings.

Blanket ban

Citing the United States as an example, Mustapa said the superpower which once prided itself in being a democratic nation, amended its laws and imposed various restrictions in the wake of the Sept 11 terror attacks.

The regulations imposed by the Malaysian government was not done to safeguard the vested interest of any individual or party but to ensure the well-being of the people, he added.

Mustapa, who is also the executive director of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC), criticised Hadi for making such a remark which he claims would invite his followers to flout the law.

PAS should also stop challenging the authority of the police as this would lead to chaos, he stressed.

However, PAS leaders could not be reached for comment.