'Extreme and unnecessary' - Suaram slams overnight detention of OA activist

Human rights group Suaram has slammed the overnight detention of Orang Asli activist Nasir Dollah (above) at the Gua Musang police station as an unnecessary and extreme action.

Nasir, who hails from Pos Ber, is being investigated in relation to a post on a Facebook page that was said to be fake news.

According to Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy, Nasir had presented himself at the Gua Musang IPD at around 9am on Sunday after receiving a notice to assist the police investigation under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which gives the power to the police to call you in if you are a witness for anything that they are required to investigate.

Nasir was subsequently arrested at around 4pm on the same day, he said.

"Suaram wants to question why the Gua Musang police did not complete their investigation during the seven hours that Nasir was in IPD Gua Musang on Sunday. Did it take so long and is the investigation only being done the next day?

"What is the need to keep Nasir overnight in the lockup?" asked Sevan in a statement today.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy

Sevan said in recent times, many issues of injustice have occurred among the OA community which have got the attention of Malaysians and the government as a result of them going viral on social media.

"The OA community, especially the younger generation, has begun to stand up in exposing the shortcomings of the system of government of the OA community.

"Yet this is often greeted with the investigation and disproportionate intimidation from the authorities," he added. 

Sevan said Suaram views such detention as an attempt to create fear in the indigenous communities.

"This action is intended to shut their mouths rather than having them continue to speak out about issues in their community.

"As a community that has been oppressed, this is an unhealthy development in creating a nation that is progressive," he added.

Sevan called on the police to stop detaining indigenous activists without just cause.

"Detention should only be done if there is a need to carry out an investigation rather than as a punishment for them before they are charged and proven guilty," he said. - Mkini