Police : they said Black 14 was a dinner event
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 15, 2008

The Black 14 function at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru yesterday was only meant to be a dinner event, not a rally, said the Kuala Lumpur police chief. MCPX

"The application made to the police on April 8 stated that a dinner was to be held and that only three top leaders of the party would give speeches but there was no dinner for the people, only for the party leaders," Muhammad Sabtu Osman told reporters last night.

anwar ibrahim april 14 kg baru event 150408 16He said the three top party leaders who were to give speeches were PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and the club’s deputy chairperson Mokhtar Ahmad, and not PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim.

The gathering, attended by about 20,000 people, was held to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on Anwar holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges.

Anwar was the main speaker at the event. His one-hour speech was interrupted by the police on the grounds that he was not allowed to address the rally. The police also said that the gathering was illegal.

Permit needed for outdoor events

When asked why a permit was required for a gathering at a private club, Muhammad Sabtu said it was not a function held indoors.

"The ceramah (talk) contributed to traffic congestion and the presence of the large number of party supporters posed a hazard for the public and night market traders in the vicinity of the club.

"It is an offence to hold a gathering or meeting without a permit and Section 27 (3) of the Police Act allows the police to stop any gathering or meeting held without a licence," he said.

anwar ibrahim april 14 kg baru event 150408 17The police had placed about 1,350 personnel including Federal Reserve Union (FRU) and General Operations Force personnel to control traffic flow from about 4pm, he said.

Muhammad Sabtu added that no arrests were made but the police were looking at the legal aspects to determine whether to make arrests later.

"The police did not arrest anyone tonight but arrests may be made depending on the investigation, and even Anwar Ibrahim would not be exempted if it is found that he had violated the law," he said.

This morning the police visited the homes of several top PKR leaders to tak estatements from them for the ‘illegal’ rally.

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