You can vote safely, say top cops

At the ready: Police officers attending a briefing ahead of election day at a polling station at Dewan Seri Mahkota, SMK Tengku Mahkota in Muar, Johor. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has deployed its officers to ensure a smooth polling process today.

“We assure everyone that all measures have been taken so that people can go out to vote safely,” said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

He said the situation has been under control throughout the election campaign without any incident that could threaten public order.

He also advised the public not to be taken up by fake news that aimed to incite fear and panic.

“They should not believe any speculation on public order and safety,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Acryl Sani said stern action would be taken against any party which attempted to cause provocations that could impact public order.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said that no one should be complacent about public order although the situation had been under control throughout the two weeks of campaigning.

“I urge the candidates and supporters to refrain from doing anything that could disrupt safety and public order.

“Don’t cause any ruckus and avoid any provocation,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Comm Arjunaidi said all involved in the election should abide by all the rules and regulations.

“Any trouble that happens due to unruly behaviour will not benefit anyone,” he added.

He said that Selangor police would be deploying more than 14,000 personnel throughout the state today.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim advised all involved in the election to uphold the spirit of democracy while abiding by all the laws.

For polling day, Comm Azmi said 8,800 officers and personnel would be deployed in the city.

“All officers and personnel have been thoroughly briefed on their duties. Our priority is to ensure the security and safety of everyone involved,” he said.

Police had also opened 28 investigation papers involving various offences related to the general election nationwide.

Bukit Aman GE15 operations director of the police force, Comm Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali, said five investigation papers were opened in Kedah followed by Johor with four cases, Pahang (four), Sabah (three), Selangor (three), Kuala Lumpur (two), Kelantan (two) and one each in Sarawak, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Penang.

Comm Hazani, who is also Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director, said a woman was detained in Kota Setar, Kedah, on suspicion of removing a party flag installed on the Alor Semadom bridge.

The police also issued 1,907 ceramah permits on Thursday.

Of the total, 312 permits were issued in Sabah, Sarawak (271), Perak (188), Johor (172), Kedah (149), Kelantan (147), Selangor (142), Terengganu (141), Pahang (126), Negri Sembilan (90), Melaka (67), Penang (48), Perlis (28) and Kuala Lumpur (26).