PKR MPs latest to be picked up in post-Bersih crackdown

PKR’s Batu MP Tian Chua and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin were arrested at their homes in a post-Bersih crackdown.

“I have been arrested under Section 147/ Section 511 (of the Penal Code).

“Now on the way to the KL police headquarter at Jalan Hang Tuah,” he confirmed in a Twitter posting.

Section 147 of the Penal Code concerns rioting while Section 511 provides punishment for attempting to commit the said crime.

Zuraida’s arrest was confirmed by PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzli in a note to the press.

Tian Chua and Zuraida's arrests come after artist and activist Fahmi Reza was nabbed shortly after the Bersih 5 rally ended.

The police had during the red-shirts and Bersih 5 rally also arrested six individuals.

One was a 33-year-old man who was armed with a parang and a brass knuckle.

Two more men who were picked up was a 49-year-old found operating a drone, and another 33-year-old red-shirt protester who is said to have assaulted a Bersih yellow-shirt.

The other three were protest leaders, namely Bersih activist Hishamuddin Md Rais, 65, Pasir Pinji state assemblyperson Howard Lee Chuan How, 33 and red-shirt leader Armand Azha Abu Hanifah.

They were also arrested under Section 147 and 511 for attempted rioting, said Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh, in a statement this evening

He also said both the red-shirts and Bersih rally ended at about 6pm and the situation in Dataran Merdeka and other places is under control.

“Police estimated 15,500 yellow-shirts were in attendance while there are 2,500 red-shirts. For the duration of the rally, a total of 28 police reports were lodged comprising 20 arrest reports and eight general reports,” he said.

He also said the arrest of the 49-year-old found with the drone is being investigated under Section 143 of the Civil Aviation regulations.

“Police also arrested a 33-year-old under Section 6 (1) of the Corrosive, Explosive Substance and Offensive Weapons Act, for possession of a parang and a brass knuckle,” he said.

“Another arrest was made on another 33-year-old red-shirt man for causing hurt by kicking a man wearing the Bersih T-shirt. Investigation has been classified under voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 of the Penal Code,” Amar said

The Kuala Lumpur police chief also said protesters were also seen bringing their children and reminded that this is an offence under Section 4(2) (f) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, where further action will be taken.

He added that the protests caused traffic congestion as protesters march to various parts of the city.

10 arrests yesterday

Earlier, Amar confirmed the arrest of 10 individuals yesterday and last night in relation to the Bersih rally and said they are on the lookout for several other individuals linked to the pro-electoral reform movement.

The 10 individuals arrested last night were:

Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew
Mandeep Singh Karpall Singh
Muhamad Luqman Nul Haqim Zul Razali
Arutchelvan Subramaniam
Wong Chee Wai @ Jimmy Wong
Lee Khai Meng
Anis Syafiqah Md Yusof
Hairol Nizam Md Nor
Razali Zakaria
Muhamad Safwan Anang @ Talib

“The arrests were to prevent rioting, breach of the peace and public disturbance during the Bersih 5 rally.

“They were arrested in and around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and all are being investigated under Section 147 and 511 of the Penal Code,” said Amar Singh.

This does not include the arrest of Bersih 2.0 chairperson, Maria Chin Abdullah.

Amnesty urges immediate release of all detained

Meanwhile, Amnesty International urged the immediate release of all detained related to the rallies today.

“Peacefully speaking up for electoral reform is not a security offence and should never be criminalised.

“The ongoing crackdown by the Malaysian authorities shows their willingness to invoke draconian laws to silence peaceful dissent and criminalise government critics,” said Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu.

In a statement, Shamini said Amnesty was particularly concerned about the use of the the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) on Maria.

“The Act fails to meet international human rights standards in several key ways, including by allowing police to detain suspects incommunicado for up to 48 hours, increasing the risk of torture, and by allowing detention without charge or access to courts for up to 28 days.

“This extension is not subjected to judicial oversight. Section 5 of Sosma permits the police to delay a detainee’s access to legal counsel for up to 48 hours,” she said.

Shamini noted the law clearly stated that it may be not used against people for their political belief or activity.

“Maria Chin Abdullah and other prisoners of conscience must be released unconditionally and immediately.

“At the moment, the government’s priorities are all wrong. Instead of investigating allegations of corruption and rights abuses, they are silencing people for raising these concerns,” she said. - Mkini