KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Police (PDRM) have issued 3,457 permits until yesterday, for campaigning purposes nationwide ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15) which will be held on November 19.

PDRM Operations Director for the GE15, Datuk Seri Hazani Abdullah said the total comprised 623 permits in Sabah, Johor (482), Perak (413), Sarawak (372), Selangor (320), Kedah (257), Pahang (230), Negri Sembilan (203), Melaka (162), Penang (122), Kelantan (107), Terengganu (77), Perlis (45) and Kuala Lumpur (44).

Hazani said PDRM had also identified 177 election campaigns that were held without a permit, namely 39 in Negri Sembilan, Perak (38), Selangor (25), Kedah (21), Kuala Lumpur (18), Johor (17), Pahang (nine), Terengganu (six), Sarawak (three) and Kelantan (one).

As for GE15 related offences, Hazani said one case was recorded in Johor, involving an individual who was detained on suspicion of burning and throwing a prohibited type of firecrackers called ‘Cake Repeater 138 Shot’ at the backstage of a Pakatan Harapan (PH) party campaign location at Jalan Bistari 4/1, Taman Yayasan, Segamat, Johor.

"The suspect was detained for letting off firecrackers that can endanger the safety of those who attended the campaign. We have also started Investigations,” he said in a statement today.

Hazani said in the second incident, a local man who was drunk had created a ruckus in a provocation manner by breaking the pole of a Barisan Nasional (BN) flag and throwing the flag on the road at Jalan JB Air Hitam, in front of a bank in Taman Senai Utama, Senai, Johor.

In the third incident that happened in Penang, a local man was believed to have threathened a party helper who had intended to put up flags at Jalan Padang Tembak, Ayer Itam which comes under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency (P048).

"The suspect had claimed that the Ayer Itam area was under his jurisdiction and that anyone who intended to put up flags must pay him. If not, he would ask his people to cause trouble,” he said adding that the case will be investigated under Section 385 of the Panel Code for intimidation.

He said the fourth case was in Kelantan which involves an individual who reported that when he was at the Dewan Jeram Tekoh, Gua Musang, he had opened his WhatsApp Group ‘Anak Muda Tolak Kuli P32’ and saw someone whom he knew as Aznan Rosmadi, uploading a ballot paper.

"The ballot paper had the name of the party and the candidate who will be contesting the Gua Musang Parliamentary seat. The individual who lodged the report was concerned as to how the individual had obtained the ballot paper and also the motive for uploading the ballot paper in the WhatsApp group,” he said.

Hazani said PDRM had also opened 22 investigation papers throughout the country involving offences related to the GE15, involving Sarawak, Sabah and Selangor.

In Sarawak, an individual from the Sarikei DAP division office, known as Tengki, reported that about 30 DAP flags put up along Jalan Masjid Lama Sarikei, beginning at a pharmacy to Jalan Sugarbun, Sarikei were damaged and broken by an unidentified individual.

In Sabah, an individual at Kampung Kolapis Laut, Beluran reported that he was informed by a member of party Warisan that four flag poles set up along the pedestrian walk path near Jalan Taman Arif were damaged.

However, the individual was not sure of the motive or who was responsible for vandalising the flag poles.

"Investigations revealed that a number of flag poles were broken. Flags were also found on the ground where the incident was alleged. The area was dark because the street lights were not functioning. There were also no witnesses,” he said.

In Selangor, especially in Kajang, an individual lodged a report claiming that he witnessed a Barisan Nasional party flag put up in front of a house near the parking area was damaged and torn. There was also an attempt to untie the flag from the pole.

Hazani said the individual who reported the incident believes it was an irresponsible act and done out of jealousy.

"Such an act can result in triggering anger. The sensitivity of neighbours and the party must be respected and supported by every individual,” he said.

Meanwhile, media spokesperson from the Johor police headquarters Supt Ibrahim Mat Som said three investigation papers have been opened under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 500 of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. — Bernama