Two weeks after the Bersih 5 rally, police continue to call in activists and opposition leaders over their participation in the demonstrations that saw 40,000 people flood the streets of downtown Kuala Lumpur to demand electoral and institutional reforms.
Cops are also calling in organisers of the Free Maria vigils, which were being held at the time to call for the release of then detained Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, who was taken into custody on the eve of the electoral reform rally.
Among the latest to be called in is DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, who gave his statement at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman today.
Pua was reportedly questioned about his speech made at the Bangsar LRT station during Bersih 5, as well as his overall role in the rally.
According to media reports, Pua said PKR Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is currently abroad, is also due to be questioned soon when she returns over her involvement in Bersih 5.
He added police informed him that more individuals will be called in soon over the matter, though they did not give names.
Peaceful Assembly Act flexed
Meanwhile on Nov 28, police asked Bersih steering committee northern peninsula vice-chairperson Toh Kin Woon to report to the Northeast district police headquarters in Patani Road for questioning.
“The officer said it was with regard to speeches I made last night at the Esplanade and at the vigil on Nov 21 in front of the Penang police headquarters,” Tok reportedly said.
Bersih’s northern peninsula programme officer Lee Chung Lun was also called in on the same day.
Both were investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for not giving a ten-day notice to the district police chief of the vigil held the week before.
Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur on the same day, police questioned five opposition politicians at the Travers police station on possible violations of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Sedition Act 1948 during the Bersih 5 rally.
They were Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah, Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim, Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin, Seri Andalas assemblyperson Xavier Jayakumar and Selangor PKR Youth chief Afzainizam Rahman.
All five chose to remain silent when asked about their involvement in Bersih 5 and any speeches they may have given, until such a time when they are charged in court.
All five chose to remain silent when asked about their involvement in Bersih 5 and any speeches they may have given, until such a time when they are charged in court.
All this followed the arrest of artist and activist Fahmi Reza shortly after the end of the Bersih 5 rally, as well as that of PKR Batu MP Tian Chua and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who were picked up at their respective homes on the same day.
Their arrests marked the start of the post-Bersih crackdown.
Police have vowed to take stern actions against those who organised and participated in Bersih 5 and the Free Maria vigils, as well as the anti-Bersih red-shirt counter rally.
At the moment police appear to be targeting lead activists and opposition politicians, though the civil service has reportedly circulated directives for civil servants who are found to have attended any of the rallies and demonstrations to be penalised.- Mkini
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