NGO leader quizzed over Merdeka gathering

WargaAman chairman A Rajaretinam was called up for questioning for his alleged involvement in the Janji Demokrasi gathering.

PETALING JAYA: The government does not hold proprietorship over the Merdeka celebration, said Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAman) chairman A Rejaretinam today.

He said this after being called for questioning by the Dang Wangi district police headquarters on his alleged involvement in the Janji Demokrasi gathering on Merdeka eve.

Also present with him were WargaAman secretary-general S Bharatidasan and Malaysian Indian Youth Council chairman for Selangor chapther M Kumara Devan Dewar.

Rajaretinam arrived at the police station at about 11am and was grilled for 30 minutes.

On Aug 30, about 10,000 people gathered peacefully near Dataran Merdeka to celebrate the National Day, an event organised by a coalition called Janji Demokrasi and supporters of Save Jalan Sultan movement.

Also present were PAS deputy president Mohamd Sabu, PKR vice president Tian Chua and national laureate A Samad Said.

The police cordoned off Dataran Merdeka in order to prevent the gathering participants from entering the premises, which was set to host the official Merdeka celebration the following day.

On the questioning, Rajaretinam said that the police thought that he was one of the organisers for the Janji Demokrasi event and asked him about 25 questions on the matter.

However, he refused to answer most of the questions claiming they were ambigous.

“I only answered questions pertaining to my personal details like my name and age. The rest, I told them, I will answer if they produce me in court,” he said.

Rajaretinam said it was sad that after 55 years of Independence, the police lacked the understanding of what Merdeka was all about.

“I believe this was the first time so many turned up for Merdeka eve. I don’t understand why the police has to try to stop it,” he added.