A 10-member delegation from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has begun camping out in the grounds of the internal security ministry to force its hand in issuing a permit for a party organ.

Led by information chief Tian Chua, the group came ready with jackets, toilet paper, food, sarongs, newspapers and books when they arrived for a meeting with two ministry officials this morning.

When this failed after 20 minutes, the group took up position and will remain where they are until they get an official answer as to whether their application will be approved.

At a press conference, Chua said: "The officer only identified himself as Zaman. He told us that they have procedures to deal with applications. They said they only answer to their boss and not us, and would not tell me the status of our application.

"We've waited enough. We will wait until we get a letter from them. I am going to camp here. We will not move. I am ready to stay as long as I can."

The party submitted its application for a permit for Suara Keadilan last June but has yet to hear from the ministry as to whether this has been approved.

Chua said party members and supporters will take turns to station themselves at the ministry.

Assurance for police

Putrajaya district police chief Mohd Khalil, who was called to the ministry, had a brief discussion with Chua.

Chua was heard assuring Khalil that the party members would not cause any problems, since their intention is to deal with the ministry.

Speaking to reporters later, Khalil said it was not wrong for the group to be at the ministry on official business.

Pressed as to whether they would be allowed to stay at the venue, he said: "They are not here to demonstrate, right? So what's wrong?"

He claimed that he had stopped over because a group of people were seen gathering in front of the ministry.

"As police, we have to stop and check on what's going on. We need to see to security," he added.

Up to 5pm, no untoward incident had been reported.

In a new development, Chua said they have recieved a formal letter from the ministry at 6.15pm stating that their application has been received and is under review.

The letter was signed by the ministry's publication control unit officer Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi.

Chua said the party would give the ministry two weeks to respond to the application and demanded the ministry to stop harassing the vendors.

Following this, the campaign has been called off.