‘CPO broke the law with his threat’

The PKR leader accuses Najib of using the police to divert attention from alleged election fraud.

PETALING JAYA: The police threat to use the Sedition Act against speakers at last night’s opposition rally is illegal, according to PKR vice president N Surendran.

“This is an unlawful, undemocratic and politically motivated threat,” he said in a media statement released today in reaction to a statement by Selangor police chief (CPO) Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah.

Surendran, who is a human rights lawyer, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was “clearly” using Tun Hisan and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ismail Omar to “divert attention from the massive electoral fraud and irregularities” allegedly carried out in the campaign and polling for the 13th general election.

He demanded that the authorities drop all sedition probes against Pakatan leaders who spoke at last night’s rally, which drew about 100,000 people to the Kelana Jaya stadium despite the bad weather and caused traffic gridlocks in surrounding areas.

He said it was “shocking” that the police were “once again” resorting to the “antiquated and undemocratic” Sedition Act 1948 in the light of Najib’s promise that it would be repealed.

“In July 2012, Najib promised the Malaysian public that the Sedition Act would be repealed,” he said.

“Najib has lied and misled the people by failing to do so. Worse, Najib continues to use this oppressive law to curb freedom of expression and democratic dissent.”

He warned the Selangor CPO that he was exposing himself to a charge of abuse of power in ordering the sedition probe and demanded that the IGP reveal “the full extent of the BN government’s involvement” in Tun Hisan’s decision.

He urged the police to maintain impartiality and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

“Why are the police wasting public resources monitoring opposition rally speeches? The police should be focusing on crime prevention and traffic control,” he said.

“During yesterday’s rally, traffic police failed to assist the public who attended. Was this done upon the BN government’s instruction?

“Those who undermine democracy must understand that they will eventually be brought to justice,”