Anwar decries violence at Kg Sg Baru after police chief bloodied

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the alleged assault on Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, which left the officer bloodied, during an eviction operation in Kampung Sungai Baru today.

He urged authorities to immediately launch an investigation into the matter and “swiftly apprehend” the supposed assailants responsible for Sulizmie’s injuries.

“Violence fuelled by incitement, hatred, and false information must never be allowed to take root in society,” the prime minister said in a social media post today.

This comes after Sulizmie suffered a head injury during the operation in Kuala Lumpur, with images of the bloodied police chief quickly making the rounds on social media.

Sulizmie is understood to have been hurt when chaos broke out after several disgruntled Kampung Sungai Baru residents attempted to force their way into the area cordoned off by police.

Commenting on the incident, Anwar stressed that while the government respects the public’s right to assemble peacefully, the principle of freedom also demands responsibility and strict adherence to rules, decorum, and the law.

“The incident of assault that left (Sulizmie) injured, carried out by irresponsible and self-serving parties, is a vile act and must be condemned.

“Peaceful assemblies must never be misused for narrow political interests or to stir unrest among the people,” he added.

‘Do not misuse rights for political interests’

In a separate statement, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail similarly described the incident as a display of “uncivilised acts,” adding that the safety and well-being of the people, as well as the integrity of the nation’s security forces, are priorities that cannot be compromised.

He emphasised that the government will not compromise with any attempts to misuse constitutionally guaranteed rights for “narrow political interests and to sow unrest”.

PKR Youth secretary Omar Mokhtar Manap asserted that any act of injuring an on-duty public servant is “completely unacceptable,” noting that police personnel at the scene were merely carrying out their job to safeguard public order. 

“PKR Youth calls on all parties to respect the law and procedures, and to use legitimate channels to express their protests or positions.

“Violence is not a solution. A mature democratic culture can only be built through rational debate, peaceful demonstrations, and respect for public servants who shoulder the nation’s responsibilities,” he added in a statement. 

Police had earlier blocked access to parts of Kampung Sungai Baru to facilitate the eviction of residents who refused to move out of the area over a land dispute.

Nestled near the iconic Saloma Link Bridge and the Kampung Baru LRT station within clear view of the Petronas Twin Towers, Kampung Sungai Baru has seen its redevelopment project delayed for nearly a decade due to disagreements over compensation. 

Some residents had also decried how their lands were subjected to compulsory acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act 1960.

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