Charles Santiago has accused the police of intimidation for expediting investigations into his remarks concerning the Federal Court's verdict against Malaysiakini.
The DAP lawmaker claimed that when it concerns ruling politicians, the police tend to drag their feet.
"This is intimidation. The fact that you (the police) fast track probes on Pakatan Harapan MPs but don't do the same to MPs from the ruling government.
"The ministers have violated (Covid-19) SOP. Numerous reports have been lodged but investigations have been pending for months.
“In my case, you come (from Kedah) to record my statement just after eight days. I think there should be fair play. If you want to probe, you probe everybody (in the same manner),” he added.
Earlier, the Klang MP was quizzed for more than an hour at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur by a police officer from Kedah.
This is over a report filed by an NGO in Sungai Petani against Charles and Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan on Feb 21 over their comments on the apex court's judgment.
According to Charles, he was asked 12 questions but the officer had refused to reveal the name of the NGO which lodged the report.
"It was a cordial meeting, but the probe is not right.
“Just because an NGO made a report, you (police) launch an investigation against me under the Sedition Act as well as the Multimedia and Communications Act," he said.
He added that the investigating officer was polite and respectful and that he had given his full cooperation to the investigation.
Charles reiterated that commenting on the judiciary's conduct does not amount to an offence since the Sedition Act was amended in 2015 to remove Section 3(1)(c) that listed bringing into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the administration of justice in Malaysia or in any state as a seditious tendency.
"I would like to reiterate that I am only exercising my constitutional rights as an elected representative of the people.
"It’s very much within my jurisdiction as a Member of Parliament to raise critical and pertinent questions.
"This police investigation is an act of intimidation to silence my voice but I took an oath to fight for justice and will continue doing my job to the best of my country and my conscience," he said.
Charles was accompanied by his lawyer John Fam.
Subsequently, Gan said the police had quizzed him for about two hours since 2pm at Bukit Aman and stressed that he did not commit sedition regarding his comment on the court's decision.
"My comments were in response to the court decision. I did not commit sedition. I did not incite anyone. If at all, I was criticising the decision, not the court," he said.
On Feb 19, the Federal Court slapped Malaysiakini with a hefty fine of RM500,000 over five readers' comments which were deemed to have traduced the judiciary.
The news portal managed to raise the sum within hours of the verdict through a public donation campaign. - Mkini
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