Siti Hasmah faced no pressure during meeting, say cops

PETALING JAYA: Police have clarified that their recent meeting with Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was just to seek her cooperation in helping to complete an investigation into an event held last year.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said police viewed seriously any seditious statements to unduly tarnish the conduct of the police during the session.

He said Siti Hasmah, wife of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was not pressured and had willingly readied herself to cooperate in the matter.

He said during the meeting, held last Friday, the 91-year-old was not quizzed but merely had her statement taken in a professional and respectful manner, as befitting her stature.

“In fact, she has herself made a statement that she did not face any intimidation during the entire time that her statement was recorded,” Wan Ahmad said in a statement today.

“This was part of a police investigative process and did not involve any form of pressure from any party.”

He said the officers had taken her statement on a public gathering held in September last year without the required one-month advance notice from the organisers.

It was reported on Friday that Siti Hasmah, 91, was questioned by police for speaking at the “Women Against Toxic Politics” rally on Sept 10 last year.

It was attended by some 1,000 people, including opposition politicians and rights activists.

Both Siti Hasmah and Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, had addressed the crowd.

The participants had gathered along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman before marching to Pertama Complex in the city centre during the event. -FMT