A PAS member is among the 12 detained last week over their alleged links to defunct terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Police sources told The Malaysian Insight that U.S. Subramaniam is a member of Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (DHPP), the Islamist party’s non-Muslim supporters’ group.
This information comes as PAS leaders take aim at DAP over the arrest of two of its assemblymen in the LTTE crackdown.
PAS leaders, as well as Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, among others, have called for the Pakatan Harapan party to be investigated for supporting terrorism.
A source from the Special Branch Counterterrorism Division confirmed that Subramaniam is among those detained.
“Yes he is from the Islamist party, but he is part of the non-Muslim supporters’ wing.”
The source later said Subramaniam was previously a member of the People’s Progressive Party (myPPP), which was deregistered in January.
“He joined PAS from myPPP.”
A DHPP official, however, said Subramaniam is no longer a member, having quit on May 21 last year.
“He joined DHPP on January 14, 2018 but quit in May the same year. We have his resignation letter,” said the official, who did not want to be named as he is not authorised to make official statements.
Sources said Subramaniam was arrested in Selangor last Thursday, when police picked up a total of seven men in several states.
In all, 12 people have been detained on suspicion of promoting, supporting, channelling funds to and possessing materials related to LTTE.
Checks showed that Subramaniam is a staunch supporter of Najib Razak, with many of his Facebook posts containing updates on the former prime minister.
Subramaniam is also active on YouTube, with his own channel where he speaks about current issues. His videos are widely shared via WhatsApp.
“He was arrested last Thursday in Selangor, the same day the cops detained the two DAP members,” said a source.
The DAP duo arrested in the swoop are Gadek assemblyman G. Saminathan, who is also a Malacca exco, and Seremban Jaya rep P. Gunasekaran.
The 12 suspects were picked up in Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. They are being held under the Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), which allows for a 28-day detention.
Police have said other prominent VIPs are being monitored for possible links to LTTE.
Following the arrests, PAS leaders urged the authorities to investigate DAP and some of its senior leaders, including Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy and Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran, for allegedly supporting the terror group.
The Perli mufti, too, called for DAP leaders to be arrested and charged with backing LTTE.
DAP has also come under attack online for defending its two arrested reps, with some social media users saying more leaders from the party should be detained for promoting LTTE in Malaysia.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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