Veteran opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang warned that newly appointed Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and newly appointed inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar are a throwback to the Mahathir-era.
He pointed out that since the duo's appointment, there had been numerous political arrests, police harassment of Pakatan Rakyat leaders and confiscation of newspapers published by Pakatan component parties.
"Thanks to Malaysia having the most 'political' home minister and the most 'political' IGP, Malaysians are reminded of an eerie return to the bad old days of Mahathirism.
"(It was a period) where all the institutions and instruments of state as well as the laws... were subverted to serve one and only one objective – to violate all democratic and human rights.. just to protect the ruling regime," he said during a speech in Johor today.
Over the past week, student activist Adam Adli was detained for five days and eventually charged for making seditious speeches. Two other politicians, PKR's Tian Chua and PAS' Tamrin Ghaffar, and a human rights activist Haris Ibrahim, face similar investigations.
The police have also hauled up several Pakatan leaders throughout the country for organising the "Black 505" political rallies.
On May 23, the home ministry seized thousands of copies of newspapers run by Pakatan's three component parties, on grounds that they were sold to non-party members, thereby violating permit conditions.
He pointed out that since the duo's appointment, there had been numerous political arrests, police harassment of Pakatan Rakyat leaders and confiscation of newspapers published by Pakatan component parties.
"Thanks to Malaysia having the most 'political' home minister and the most 'political' IGP, Malaysians are reminded of an eerie return to the bad old days of Mahathirism."(It was a period) where all the institutions and instruments of state as well as the laws... were subverted to serve one and only one objective – to violate all democratic and human rights.. just to protect the ruling regime," he said during a speech in Johor today.
Over the past week, student activist Adam Adli was detained for five days and eventually charged for making seditious speeches. Two other politicians, PKR's Tian Chua and PAS' Tamrin Ghaffar, and a human rights activist Haris Ibrahim, face similar investigations.
The police have also hauled up several Pakatan leaders throughout the country for organising the "Black 505" political rallies.
On May 23, the home ministry seized thousands of copies of newspapers run by Pakatan's three component parties, on grounds that they were sold to non-party members, thereby violating permit conditions.
Interference
In the past, the home ministry had ignored the spread of these newspapers which have limited circulations anyway.
Meanwhile, Lim also slammed Zahid for claiming that the police will appeal against a decision by Magistrate Norashikin Sahat to refuse a remand application to hold Chua, Haris and Tamrin in further custody.
"When did the home minister take over the powers and duties of deciding whether there would be an appeal against a court decision – overriding the powers of the police and the attorney-general's chambers?
"This is in fact the most flagrant evidence of the minister's blatant interference with police duties," he said.
Lim, who is trained in law, said that if the police indeed heed Zahid's call, then it would likely be the first time in which an appeal is made against a magistrate's refusal to grant a remand.
"Why does Zahid want Chua, Haris and Tamrin to be remanded for another seven days from tomorrow when the trio had been freed for three days, apart from satisfying the minister's vengeful and sadistic streak?"
As for Khalid, Lim said that although the former had pledged to fight crime and denied that the police were hunting down opposition figures, the question is whether the police will act against BN leaders as well.
Meanwhile, Lim also slammed Zahid for claiming that the police will appeal against a decision by Magistrate Norashikin Sahat to refuse a remand application to hold Chua, Haris and Tamrin in further custody.
"When did the home minister take over the powers and duties of deciding whether there would be an appeal against a court decision – overriding the powers of the police and the attorney-general's chambers?"This is in fact the most flagrant evidence of the minister's blatant interference with police duties," he said.
Lim, who is trained in law, said that if the police indeed heed Zahid's call, then it would likely be the first time in which an appeal is made against a magistrate's refusal to grant a remand.
"Why does Zahid want Chua, Haris and Tamrin to be remanded for another seven days from tomorrow when the trio had been freed for three days, apart from satisfying the minister's vengeful and sadistic streak?"
As for Khalid, Lim said that although the former had pledged to fight crime and denied that the police were hunting down opposition figures, the question is whether the police will act against BN leaders as well.
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