Police to take action if '808' organisers fail to get permit

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will not hesitate to take action against the organisers of the "808" gathering on Saturday if they fail to apply for a permit.
The gathering is organised by a coalition of five media groups as a statement of solidarity for press freedom in Malaysia following the suspension of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily on July 27.
City Police Chief Commissioner Datuk Tajudin Md Isa said the organisers have yet to submit any notice to obtain a permit under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
"We will assist the organisers in the gathering, including deploying our personnel to control traffic.
"This is not a rally but a gathering," he told reporters when met at the city police headquarters during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration today.
Meanwhile, Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah said police will take action if any party fails to adhere to existing laws during the gathering.
"We will identify the organisers and we will call them forward.
"We will negotiate and listen to the organisers especially details involving their gathering and that is all I can say for now because I have yet to receive any details," said Zainol.
The Home Ministry had suspended the printing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months beginning from July 27.
Among the reasons given for the suspension was that the Edge's reporting on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was based on doubtful and unverified information, which might alarm the public and could be prejudicial to public order and national interest.
The five media groups are Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm), Institute of Journalists Malaysia, Centre for Independent Journalism, Reporters Sans Frontiers and the Foreign Correspondents Club Malaysia.