The police have detained a man suspected of attempting to extort 'protection money' from a political party contesting in the upcoming Permatang Pasir by-election.

The suspect, who was picked up last Sunday, has been remanded until Thursday to facilitate investigations.

penang crime police lim guan eng event pc 260908 ayub yaakob Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob told a news conference today that the incident occurred just before nomination.

He said the man, accompanied by a group comprising gangsters, had gone to the headquarters of the political party and demanded 'protection money'.

Ayub added that they threatened the party (supporters) that failure to hand over 'protection money' would not guarantee their safety.

Police report lodged

Fearing for their safety, he said, the supporters lodged a police report. Following the report, a suspect was detained.

The police chief declined to name the political party, pending investigations.

Meanwhile, Ayub said, up till yesterday, 14 permits for ceramah were issued to Barisan Nasional.

"PAS did not have any ceramah yesterday. Today, 32 permits are being processed, including 14 for BN and 18 for PAS," he said, adding that the situation in Permatang Pasir was under control.

Come Aug 25, Umno candidate Rohaizat Othman, 38, will take on PAS' Mohd Salleh Man for the state seat.

The Permatang Pasir seat in Penang fell vacant when three-term PAS assemblyperson Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman died of an illness on July 31.

Permatang Pasir has been the sole PAS seat in Penang since 1999. - Bernama