IGP: I cancelled the forum

PETALING JAYA: The decision to cancel the scheduled Nothing2Hide dialogue between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and NGOs on 1MDB was not pre-planned, said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

The Inspector-General of Police said it was made at the last minute after police received information that two groups were planning to cause trouble at the event.

“I made my decision to cancel after we determined that the information was credible.

“Even the Prime Minister was not too happy with me when I told him that I had to cancel it. He was getting ready to go to the venue.

“However, I had to be firm with him and insisted it was for the safety of everyone,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman.

The IGP said there were signs that the actions of the two groups could jeopardise public order and safety.

“I made the decision as it is within my purview to ensure the safety and security of everyone.

“No party influenced my decision. It is mine and mine alone,” he said, dismissing notions that the Prime Minister influenced him to do so.

Khalid also confirmed that the police officer who told former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stop his speech had acted on his order.

“When the event is cancelled, that means every activity is cancelled.

“The event as a whole was cancelled and it was my directive to stop Tun Dr Mahathir,” he said.

The IGP also confirmed that a man was detained after a scuffle outside the hall, adding that he was later released on police bail.

“There was trouble even before the event started,” he said.