Myviews: This country subscribes to a democratic system. Debates are allowed under the law. So, why are the police assuming to be the judge and jury just because of some police reports?

In any case, is it not your duty to keep peace? All the more reason you should be on the alert for these trouble makers, whether pro-BN or pro-opposition. Are you saying you are unable to do so? You are shirking your responsibilities.

If the gatherings by Bersih, PAS and red-shirts were under control, how in the world could you conclude that because of 18 police reports, there will be trouble? It’s an open admission that you have failed in your duties.

Or perhaps it was due to someone higher up, after realising that permission had been granted, were worried that unpleasantries will be revealed during the debate?

Annonymous: Why didn’t the authorities heed so many police reports made against the foreign preacher Zakir Naik by Malaysian citizens who expected trouble from his hate speech, and is wanted by the authorities in India?

Hardboiled: Absolutely ridiculous! Our Malaysian police are scared of some troublemakers. Apparently, in Malaysian law enforcement, if you are scared, you can be a policeman who doesn’t like policing.

Politician: How can they anticipate troublemakers to disrupt the debate? That means they had information. If so, then it has to be outsiders because it is unlikely that invited guests will cause trouble.

There were thousands during the Bersih gatherings and they were facing threats by the red-shirts. Now, the police are worried about troublemakers but did not arrest them. It doesn’t make sense at all.

Hank Marvin: If you know the troublemakers are out to create problems then go and get them. Your job is to catch the crooks. Are you telling us that the police are giving up their jobs and are letting the criminals reign supreme in this country?

Iiiizzzziiii: Well, numerous reports were made against 1MDB but there was no response from the authorities. Really, the excuse given may be accepted by children but the majority of Malaysians who have shown an interest are no longer kids.

So, please do excuse the public if they perceive the police as a bunch of idiots. A few bad apples among them have damaged the credibility of the police force.

Anonymous_3e86: Flip-flop. Flip-flop. Initially, it was because of complaints from residents. Now it’s because of possible disruption from troublemakers. Who could these troublemakers possibly be? That’s pretty obvious.

Dingy: The only party who didn’t want the debate to proceed are the prime minister’s supporters, as one of the topics is to explain the reason for RM2.6 billion in his personal accounts. They are afraid that Mohamed Nazri Abdul is unable to defend Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attacks.

T C Chan: Troublemakers? Why can’t there be a strong police presence and arrest the troublemakers? What’s the fuss? Perhaps someone is using the police to get out of a sticky situation.

Vijay47: I had always been under the impression that it was only inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar who was blessed with a unique package of intelligence and logic, but it now appears to be affecting all levels of the police, with Selangor deputy police chief Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff as the latest victim.

Tell me, sir, what is the role of the police force in the maintenance of law and order apart from harassing opposition members?

So now the answer to possible breaking of the law is to ban the activities of the potential victim.

I suppose we will soon see brilliant preventive measures like banks being closed lest robbers hold them up or cinemas, especially in Kelantan, being locked up in case people indulge in sex in the darkened halls and aisles.

What else do you have in store for us, Mohd Fuad? Highways being shut down in case people speed on them, and wedding functions being disallowed to stop troublemakers?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.