Several ceramah (political gathering) organised by the opposition have resulted in chaos even in the presence of the police hence forcing the government to impose a 'blanket' ban on such events, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Chor Chee Heung said six PAS ceramah have resulted in violence during the last two months.

The incidents, three in Kedah, two in Johor and one in Negeri Sembilan saw opposition supporters hurling stones at the police, vandalising police vehicles, and preventing policemen from carrying out their duties.

"There were also incidences where the speakers made provocative and seditious statements which seemed to challenge the police force," said the deputy minister in a question and answer session.

Chor was responding to a question by opposition leader and PAS president Fadzil Noor who asked him to clarify what security threats opposition ceramah posed.

Fadzil alleged that ceramah were always peaceful until the police intervened and created problems for the people.

The member of parliament for Pendang (Kedah) also claimed that the directive regarding the 'blanket ban' was confusing.

'No violence in our ceramah'

"Some government leaders said there is a blanket ban on ceramah. Some say we can conduct it indoors. However, there were times when the police fired tear gas at ceramah conducted indoors in order to break the crowd. This is violence," said Fadzil.

"I deny completely that violence occurred during these ceramah. It only happens with the provocation of the police. And the ban on ceramah is against the constitution," added the opposition leader.

However, Chor said such a ban was necessary because opposition talks were often seditious and exploited the sentiments of the people, adding that Barisan Nasional ceramah are always peaceful.

"In order to safeguard the security of the people, the police have to take preventive measures to prevent the situation from getting worse," he said.

However, Chor said talks in private homes were allowed as long as the police were notified.

Militancy threat

Later at the Parliament lobby, the deputy home minister told reporters that the police special branch and criminal investigation unit were sufficient to handle problems of militancy in the country.

He said the units have effectively undertaken preventive measures to safeguard the country from militant threats.

Asked if the preventive methods taken were effective as militant activities were still found despite detaining suspects under the Internal Security Act, Chor replied: "Yes. Before people were never detained for threatening the peace and security of the nation."

"It is because of the present political climate, that's why you have things like that and people like that, " he added.

"So far, there are not many so-called militant people detained under the ISA at the Kamunting detention camp. To be frank, many of those in Kamunitng are in for having falsifying documents and currency counterfeiting," he said.

Chor was responding to a statement made yesterday by the Malaysian Ex-Army Organisation president Muhammad Ghani who suggested the government set-up a special investigative unit to handle the threat of militant activities.

It was proposed that this unit work closely with the police and special branch officers to provide the government with information on terrorists and their activities.