(April 10): Political parties contesting in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election are reminded not to harp on sensitive issues and incitement that can cause unrest throughout the campaign period, Bernama reported.

Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the police would not compromise with anyone who raised issues that could jeopardise security and public order.

"The responsibility of the police is to ensure and maintain security and public order during the by-election and I warn political parties not to try raising sensitive issues especially those related to incitement or cause unrest.

"We will also not compromise with those attempting to cause chaos and disturb public order."

Police will monitor ceramah throughout the campaigning period as well as social media.

All candidates, who wished to hold ceramah or gatherings, were also advised to apply for permits from the police, he was quoted as saying.

Rahim told Bernama the police would deploy personnel in 35 hot locations in the parliamentary constituency via the Ops Payung a week before the nomination day.

Some 2,000 officers and personnel from Penang contingent would be involved throughout the by-election with reinforcement to be deployed from Bukit Aman and other contingents if there was such a need.

The Election Commission has set May 7 as the polling day for Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election, while the nomination will be on April 25 and early voting on May 3.

The Permatang Pauh seat was declared vacant after its incumbent, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was disqualified as an MP since March 16 after the Pardons Board rejected a petition for a royal pardon sought by the opposition leader’s family over his sodomy conviction.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence at Sungai Buloh prison. - The Malaysian Insider