Police record statements of 'burn Anwar posters' protesters

AMPANG JAYA: Police have recorded statements from people involved in the “Jom Bakar Papan Iklan Selamatkan Anwar (Let’s Burn the Save Anwar Billboards)” demonstration held in Ampang on Wednesday.

District police chief Asst Comm Hamzah Alias said they were being investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for failing to notify the police prior to the demonstration, which was led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos .

During the demonstration, Jamal had warned the Selangor government to remove all the billboards or he would burn them.

“There are hundreds of Anwar billboards in Subang, Klang, Ampang and Damansara, which can cost over a million ringgit.

“We want to know who has the contract to put them up and from where they are getting the funds,” Jamal said. 

A scuffle broke out between Anwar supporters and around 40 Red Shirt members when, instead of burning the poster, Jamal put up a new banner describing the PKR leader as a convicted sodomist.

ACP Hamzah said police would also be taking the statements of the other parties.

"In addition to questioning both parties involved in the demonstration, police will also be recording the statements of those responsible for putting up billboards with “elements” that could be “detrimental to public safety”, added ACP Hamzah.

"This is another aspect we are looking into. The posters may contain elements that touch on the sensitivities of other groups and jeopardise public safety.

"We do not want people to feel “curious” over these posters," he told reporters at the Ampang Jaya police headquarters.

When a reporter asked if he was referring specifically to the “Save Anwar” billboard, ACP Hamzah said “yes, the poster you mentioned” as well as “other posters”.