IPOH: Police today confirmed that the parade at Dataran Menara Condong Teluk Intan, which displayed foreign flags that went viral on social media, was held without a permit.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said that the religious-themed parade, featuring decorated vehicles, took place from 8pm to 11.30pm yesterday and drew approximately 400 spectators.
"Police have summoned the organisers for a statement, and they will also be asked to provide the details of all foreign participants believed to be from China to assist in the investigation," he said.
Azizi added that the police received a complaint about the incident from a local man at 12.39am today.
Further investigations are underway under Section 9 (1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for holding a parade without a police permit and Section 3 (1) of the National Symbols Act 1949 for displaying the national symbols of foreign countries in public.
He advised anyone wishing to organise gatherings to submit applications to the police at least 10 days prior to the event.
The public is warned against participating in illegal gatherings that may disturb public order, as offenders may face fines of up to RM10,000 under Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 if convicted.
Earlier, the Malaysian Guan Gong Cultural Association apologised for the incident involving the raising of the Chinese flag by a group during the World Guan Gong Parade in Teluk Intan last night.
The association's chairman, Soon Boon Hua, clarified that raising another country's flag was not part of the organisers' planned itinerary. -- BERNAMA