GEORGE TOWN, May 21- Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng insisted the Padang Kota rally on Saturday did not need a permit as it was a state government function to introduce the new leadership.
“Since the programme was organised by the state government, it did not need a permit. As such, we did not apply for one. “Talks that the rally is illegal is ridiculous. The rally went on peacefully and no police report was lodged,” he told reporters here today.
The rally featuring opposition leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh was seen as an attempt to influence the people to protest the result of the 13th general election (GE13). The Penang new state exco line-up was only introduced after the four hour rally ended at midnight.
Meanwhile, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi today confirmed that statements were recorded from several people responsible for organising the illegal rally.
Several more people would be summoned to assist police in the investigation under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly (PPA) Act 2012. He stressed that under PPA, rallies organised by the state government or federal government must get approval and permit from the police.
– BERNAMA
