GE15: Cops investigating name-calling, defamation, vandalism cases, says Bukit Aman elections chief

PETALING JAYA: Name calling, defamation and campaign material vandalism cases are being investigated by the police.

Bukit Aman General Elections Operations Director Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali said in Johor, police received a report from a man who claimed he was called a "biawak" (monitor lizard) by a political party division committee member.

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"The complainant also alleged that the suspect threatened to beat him up if they crossed paths again.

"The suspect has since come forward to deny the allegations," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 9).

Comm Hazani said the case was classified as criminal intimidation.

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He said in Penang, police have opened investigations after a man claiming to be a gangster went to the Bukit Bendera Barisan Nasional operations room.

"The police report claims that the suspect said all campaign flags must be placed through him and he must receive payment. He also threatened to cause disturbances in the area if they did not pay up," he said, adding that the case was being investigated as extortion.

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He also said that at least 10 cases involving campaign material vandalism such as torn and thrown posters, banners and flags were reported in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

"Police also opened 22 investigation papers and arrested four suspects for holding ceramah without valid permits.

"We arrested one suspect in Penang and Kelantan while two others were arrested in Johor," he said, adding that 177 ceramah were held without proper permits on Tuesday.

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He said Negri Sembilan was the state with the highest number of ceramah without permits, with 39 recorded there followed by Perak (38), Selangor (25), Kedah (21), Kuala Lumpur (18), Johor (17), Pahang (nine), Terengganu (six), Sarawak (three) and Kelantan (one).

"Our records show that 3,457 ceramah were conducted with valid permits. Sabah was the highest with (623) followed by Johor (482), Perak (413), Sarawak(372), Selangor (320), Kedah (257), Pahang(230), Negri Sembilan (203), Melaka (162), Penang (122), Kelantan (107), Terengganu (77), Perlis (45), and Kuala Lumpur (44)," he said.