Tian Chua also said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi violated the trio's freedom of expression by ordering the police to arrest them.
PETALING JAYA: Batu MP Tian Chua claimed that his arrest along with Anything But Umno leader Haris Ibrahim and PAS member Tamrin Ghafar is a sign that the BN led federal government is in a panic mode over the ongoing rallies objecting to the results of the 13th general election.
“It is a reaction of a panicked government and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi clearly does not know how to respect other individuals rights to assemble.
“It also marks the beginning of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s descend to (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s style in clamping dissidents,” said the PKR leader last night when asked to comment on his detention.
Tian Chua, Haris, and Tamrin were arrested on Thursday under the Sedition Act.
The trio were alleged to have urged the public to use street demonstrations to bring the downfall of the BN led federal government by the end of this year during a May 13 forum.
They were released yesterday after the police failed to obtain a remand order from the magistrate.
Tian Chua added that Najib does not need to pretend to be a prime minister with the transformation agenda because the general election is over.
The second term Batu MP also complained about the police force’s lack of professionalism when they apprehended him at the airport.
“The way they arrested me was rough. It was unprofessional and unnecessary. They have also confiscated my phone and I believe they did so for phishing purposes,” he said.
Meanwhile in a related development, Ahmad Zahid said that the police would appeal for a remand.
“I have no intentions to interfere in police matters. It is a normal procedure to follow when a judgment is not in favour of the police force.
“An appeal will be filed to ensure the police can charge them,” he said to reporters after attending a talk show on Bernama TV last night.
Haris and Tamrin could not be reached for comments .
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.