BAYAN LEPAS: Police have warned the public against participating in a planned gathering, supposedly organised by Malay-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs), at the Al-Mustaghfirin mosque here after Friday prayers tomorrow.
The gathering is supposedly being held to demand that the Health Ministry and the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department permit the straightening of "saf" for congregational prayers in mosques.
Acting Southwest police chief Deputy Superintendent Jafri Md Zain said they were aware of the dissemination of a poster and 104-minute video footage yesterday, inviting the people to participate in the gathering.
He said checks with the Al-Mustaghfirin mosque committee and the Southwest district Islamic religious office confirmed that no approval was granted for the gathering.
He said this was in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the National Security Council (NSC) with regards to congregational activities in mosques during Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
"No permission has been granted to any individuals or NGOs to gather as it violates several regulations under Phase Four of the NRP.
"As such, we want to remind anyone against participating in the gathering or face stern action under the law," he said today.
Action, he said, could be taken under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Section 269 of the Penal Code.