KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged authorities to swiftly investigate and arrest those responsible for assaulting Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman during a protest against the eviction of several homes in Kampung Sungai Baru for redevelopment.
He said while everyone has the right to peaceful assembly, he condemned acts of violence, describing such behaviour as cruel and unacceptable in Malaysian society.
“The government respects the right to peaceful assembly and the expression of views, as consistently demonstrated in previous gatherings.
“However, the principle of freedom also requires responsibility, with strict adherence to law, order, and civility.
“The incident in which the Dang Wangi district police chief was assaulted and injured by irresponsible parties with vested interests is cruel and must be condemned.
“I have urged the authorities to immediately carry out an investigation and swiftly apprehend those responsible for the attack,” he said in a statement on Facebook today.
The operation to vacate the area was carried out following a court order to facilitate the area’s redevelopment plan.
The operation turned tense today when residents demanded access to the area.
Residents had gathered at the site since early morning.
At 10am, following a series of speeches by their representative, they tried to force their way into the area.
Anwar added that peaceful assembly must never be misused for narrow political interests or to create unrest among the people.
The prime minister said that violence fueled by sedition, hatred, and false information cannot take root in society.
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