Takiyuddin claims watchful cops causing unease in Pelangai campaign

PELANGAI BY-ELECTION | PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed today that the “extraordinary attendance” of authorities monitoring the coalition’s campaigns for its Pelangai candidate Kasim Samat, has created a feeling of “unrest” among locals.

Speaking at a press conference at PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Takiyuddin, who is also the party’s secretary-general, said his call today for the police to be more “professional” was made based on personal observations during the first week of campaigning.

“We are facing problems of extraordinary attendance from the police. Patrol cars, Special Branch officers… this triggers a feeling of unrest.

“Patrol cars constantly stopped and parked at PN’s operation centre, with the excuse that they (police) wanted to gauge the strength of our machinery,” said Takiyuddin.

“That (monitoring operation centre) has nothing to do with the police,” claimed the former law minister, arguing that police should act based on public complaints.

He claimed police monitoring Kasim’s walkabouts and house-to-house visits had also created reservations among locals to engage with the candidate.

“We (PN) are asking police to not take unnecessary action,” he added.

Kasim is up against BN’s Amizar Abu Adam and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.

Aside from monitoring PN’s operation centre, Takiyuddin also claimed there were “too many” police present during their ceramah sessions, creating an impression of potential unrest, when local villagers were only interested to hear the candidate’s explanations.

He claimed their presence was unlike at campaigns led by BN where police had instead assisted the crowd, for example, to manage traffic.

“PN appreciates the role of police to preserve peace and prevent unwanted incidents, but not in a manner that could create unnecessary fear among the people,” he added.

The Election Commission has set Oct 7 as polling day for the Pelangai by-election.

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