Nation

Police say MPs allowed to enter Parliament; blocks were for 'illegal gathering'

KUALA LUMPUR: Police denied allegations that members of parliament were barred from entering Parliament House, which houses their offices.

City police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said the presence of more than 500 policemen near Parliament this morning was because of reports that an "illegal gathering" would take place in the area.

"Police received information from media reports that a solidarity gathering for (opposition leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would take place and when we checked with Parliament, (the authorities there) said it is not in session today.

"We then conducted roadblocks and alternative routes because cars or any person could not enter Parliament. This is the reason for our actions earlier," he told reporters at the city police headquarters today.

Asked if MPs are barred from entering Parliament on days when the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara are not in session, Azmi responded in the negative.

"As far as I know, they have offices there, so they are allowed to enter," he said.

When asked why the police did not let the opposition MPs enter Parliament, Azmi reiterated the police were told that an illegal gathering would take place.

"We received information that there will be a gathering. An illegal gathering. This is not about MPs. This is about the information we received.

"To ensure the safety of all, including the MPs, we made the decision to block some roads in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

This morning, an attempt to enter the parliament ground by 107 opposition MPs failed after police Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) members blocked off the road leading to the building.

According to Azmi, about 500 people had attended today's gathering and so far, police have received two reports over the rally.

He said police are investigating the reports under Section 9 of Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 on notification of assembly, Section 269 of the Penal Code on negligent act likely to spread infection and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

After it was announced that today's Parliament sitting would be postponed, opposition MPs voiced dissatisfaction, saying the government's action was an unconstitutional act, treasonous to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and undemocratic.

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