Former deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin has criticised the arrests at last night’s rally against “illegal houses of worship”, reminding that the police should not simply act like they previously had under the former BN regime.
Highlighting that the arrests had taken place under the unity government’s administration, Hanipa (above) described it as “highly regrettable” and questioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to reformation.
He said while he detested the group, they still had a right to peaceful assembly.
“We may disagree with the organiser, but the police should not behave as if they were under the old regime - BN.
“As long as the assembly is peaceful, the fundamental and constitutional right to organise and attend a peaceful assembly should be respected.
“Here we adhere to constitutional supremacy, not police supremacy,” he said in a statement today.
Last night, Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship Movement coordinator Zamri Vinoth and protest co-organiser Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak were detained alongside 18 other individuals before the rally.
Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla, who was among those arrested, confirmed that they have since been released on police bail, while Zamri and Tamim remained in detention while awaiting remand.
Police began arresting purported rally goers at the compound of the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur as early as 8pm yesterday.
There was a heavy police presence, including anti-riot personnel who were seen guarding the areas around Sogo and Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru to prevent participants from gathering.
Separately, the police also detained two Urimai party leaders, who had initially planned to organise another rally near India Gate, Brickfields.
Hanipa’s remark, however, did not sit well with Seputeh Umno chief Razlan Rafii, who warned him not to be a "batu api” (instigator) by bringing up the former BN regime.
"There is no need to relate this to the previous BN administration. During the BN era, you could still roll around in the streets and shut down Dataran Merdeka. Yet, to this day, no one is rotting in prison for it,” he said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
Razlan, an aide to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also reminded Hanipa that the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (1960) and the establishment of the Peaceful Assembly Act (2012) had both taken place during the previous BN administration.
“Even within Amanah, you were rejected because you were not very bright as a deputy minister. Don't try to be an instigator,” he added.
‘Double standards’
Taking to Facebook today, PAS Youth also condemned the arrests, describing the intimidation against yesterday's rally goers as “a clear violation of democratic principles” and freedom of speech.
“It is even more distressing when we were also informed that the (detainees’) legal team were not permitted to represent their respective clients who were detained and interrogated by the authorities,” said PAS Youth deputy chief Hanif Jamaluddin.
“This situation illustrates the government’s efforts to silence people from speaking up and defending the sanctity of the law,” he added.
Hanif also urged the government not to be “cowardly” in defending their principles, and reminded them that the right to peaceful assembly was guaranteed under the federal constitution.
Echoing similar sentiments, Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP) president and Hindraf chairperson P Waythaa Moorthy described the arrests as a reflection of the government’s “double standards”.
“What makes this episode even more reprehensible is the blatant double standard at play. The principal organiser of the event is an individual long notorious for inciting racial and religious hostility. Hundreds of police reports have been lodged against him over the years. The police did nothing,” he said in a statement.
Waytha also recalled how Anwar had previously ignored other MPs’ demands to act against Zamri for his incitement of racial hatred.
“By his years of inaction towards the kind of hate speech and religious disharmony churned by certain individuals, the prime minister enabled and protected those who openly poisoned race and religious relations, including individuals who echoed his own use of derogatory language against Hindu temples.
“Having condoned years of genuine racial provocation, he now suddenly discovers the need for ‘maximum action’. This is not leadership. This is rank hypocrisy,” he said.
The Hindraf chairperson also highlighted that Anwar’s justification for the arrests had no legal basis, reminding that they had been pre-empted, and ordered before any offences had taken place.
“Arresting citizens based on what might happen is the hallmark of authoritarian rule, not democratic governance.
“Worse still, it appears to be a staged show of authority, and the so-called ‘guarantee public safety and that of our guests’ (as Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil puts it), cynically timed to coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
“Malaysians must ask: are our constitutional rights now to be suspended whenever foreign dignitaries arrive?” he said.
‘Maximum action’
Earlier yesterday, Anwar issued a stern warning that “maximum action”, including arrests, would be executed against any quarter that attempts to disrupt national peace and security, especially while foreign guests are visiting the country.
The prime minister stressed that while the government upholds the right to criticise and freedom of expression, any actions that breach national laws or incite racial tensions will not be tolerated.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had also urged for the rally’s cancellation to ensure public safety, reminding that although police permits were no longer required under amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, action may still be taken against those involved in the rally on the grounds of public order and security.
Lawyer-activist Latheefa Koya responded by questioning Anwar’s sudden “tough stance” on Zamri, asking whether the shift in tone was linked to Modi’s visit.
While she found Zamri’s views despicable, Latheefa reminded the prime minister that he cannot threaten arrests before any crime has been committed.
Similarly, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim had also stressed that the right to peaceful assembly should not be threatened or intimidated.
Hassan reminded that no executive body, including the prime minister, had the authority to threaten or intimidate assemblies that were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law. - Mkini
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