‘Blogger Milo Suam’s arrest politically motivated’

PKR supreme council member R Sivarasa alleges that the police are attempting to silence the popular pro-opposition blogger.

PETALING JAYA: Blogger Milo Suam’s arrest is politically motivated, claimed PKR today.

Speaking at a press conference, PKR supreme council member R Sivarasa alleged the arrest was an attempt to silence the pro-Pakatan Rakyat blogger.

“If you think he had committed a crime, charge him in court. Why the need to remand him after recording his statement?” he asked.

On Sunday, Milo Suam, or his real name Yusuf al-Siddique Suratman, was arrested and remanded till today for allegedly publishing a document protected under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

The blogger’s posting cited a police document, dated March 6, claiming that foreigners may attempt to create a ruckus in Tawau.

Police also confirmed that there was another report lodged against the blogger for publishing an article claiming the police had done early voting while the military had cast postal votes.

Sivarasa, who is also the PKR candidate for the Subang parliament seat, said that the blogger himself had cast asperations to the authenticity of the document in his post.

“Milo Suam himself had asked his readers to verify the document first,” he said.

He also questioned the police on why they have yet to deny authenticity of the document during Milo Suam’s remand hearing.

“And today, they are planning to submit application to court to extend his remand. Is this an attempt to silence him? It’s a mala fide detention.” said Sivarasa.