A senior police official today denied an opposition leader's accusation that the Klang police are biased against opposition supporters.

Responding to an allegation that the Klang police had been unprofessional and biased in refusing permits for opposition-organised gatherings, Klang District Police chief SAC Karn Kam Peng told malaysiakini , "Rest assured, we are not biased."

State assembly representative for Bandar Klang Teng Chang Khim yesterday claimed that the police under Karn's orders gave no trouble to ruling coalition Barisan Nasional gatherings. Yet on several occasions, without justified cause, the police denied Barisan Alternatif supporters from congregating.

The most recent example of the apparent "bias" was displayed last Sunday, Teng said, when 250 police and FRU personnel stood guard around a private property on Jalan Kebun, Klang, where BA supporters were having a Hari Raya celebration, joined by water cannon trucks and a helicopter hovering above.

Teng, who is also DAP Youth chief, claimed that the police presence served not only to oppress the opposition but also frighten their supporters by "guarding them like criminals".

Asked why the police were deployed there on Sunday, Karn declined to comment beyond that "I was only following orders".

Close to the people

Karn also refuted Teng's claim that the police invited only BN leaders and business people to their official functions such as a Hari Raya gathering on Jan 13.

"We want to be close to the people. We also invited the opposition to join us in our functions," Karn said, adding that for the Raya function, the police had sent invitations to Teng's representative and five PAS members, though he could not confirm whether the latter turned up.

Meanwhile, the police have given a positive response to the second "100,000 People's Gathering" on Jan 20, according to organiser Saari Sungib, as it is more of a Hari Raya and Chinese New Year celebration for BA supporters.

The gathering will be held on a private land at Kampung Medan, Teluk Panglima Garang, 4km off the Klang-Banting exit of the Kesas Highway.