Police attempts to disperse a Hari Raya gathering organised by a PAS division in Shah Alam last week proved that the new prime minister's pledge to uphold democracy was nothing but "empty promises", PAS MP Husam Musa charged today.

Condemning the disruption caused by the police who had gatecrashed the gathering organised by PAS Shah Alam's section 18 division last Friday, Husam said the police action not only contradicted Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's pledge to uphold democracy but also run foul of the premier's call that he be told the truth and his statements discouraging " apple polishers ".

"If he continues to clamp down on freedom of expression via peaceful gatherings, he will never do away with apple polishers and will never be told of nor learn the truth," said Husam when contacted this morning. Abdullah is also the home minister which oversees the affairs of the police.

Asked if this was his first "confrontation" with the police, the PAS leader said that for the past couple of months, he had experienced four similar incidents.

"It looks like Abdullah is continuing the old tyrannical methods of his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad by using the police to stop the opposition from exercising their constitutional rights (of freedom of speech)," he said.

Relating the Dec 11 incident, Husam said there was no need for the police to behave in such "high handed" manner when the event, meant for the division's members and supporters, did not disrupt traffic flow or disturb the peace in the neighbourhood.

"It was only a Hari Raya gathering at division level, but the presence of the police who conducted roadblocks and the presence of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) outside the markaz (division's headquarters) looked as if they were preparing for a mishap that could threaten national security!" said Husam.

"I was still addressing the guests when a police officer went to the stage and tried to stop me from speaking. He said that I was not allowed to use the microphone. After a lengthy discussion with the organiser, the officer allowed me to continue for a few minutes and insisted that we disperse after that," he said.

Acted on Umno complaints

The Kubang Kerian MP who is also PAS central committee member said he believed the police could have acted on complaints from Umno leaders.

"Section 18 used to be Umno's stronghold in Shah Alam, but PAS is gaining ground in the area. I guess this has caused some Umno people to feel insecure and they are using the police to intimidate us and our supporters," he said.

Husam said he has written a letter of complaint to Abdullah adding that a video tape of the incident was also enclosed.

"I told him that the police were biased. They cooperated with the organisers of the Hari Raya gathering held at the Shah Alam stadium on Dec 8 where the prime minister himself was present and where more than one loudspeaker was used," he said.

He said he also sent copies of the letter to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, Selangor mentri besar and the residents of section 18 in Shah Alam.

"I have sent 1,000 copies to the residents telling them that the only way to stop such tyrannies is to change the government," he said.

Better than ever

Meanwhile, when contacted Umno leader and Shah Alam member of Parliament Mohd Zin Mohamed denied accusations that the police had acted on Umno's instructions.

"We have no control over them. If the police want to act within their powers, it has nothing to do with Umno. We ourselves have to secure police permits for our own public gatherings," he said.

"Maybe this is why our gatherings were never distrupted."

On allegations that the party was losing its support in Shah Alam, he said that this was not true as the "people's support to the party had been better than ever".

"And what else can they say of Pak Lah who is doing a good job and receiving an overwhelming support from the rakyat," he said.

Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Shukri Dahlan could not be contacted for comments as he was attending a week-long seminar.