Several DAP leaders have slammed fellow party member, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran, for his appearance alongside activist Arun Dorasamy at the Jawi Magistrates’ Court in Penang yesterday.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, and central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said that while they respected Kulasegaran’s (above, right) position as a party veteran, his action is inadmissible, especially given his capacity in the government.
“The said action has sparked public controversy regarding the integrity of the country’s legal system.
“We take note of his explanation on the matter. However, his position in the government demands a higher level of sensitivity to public perception, particularly concerning the principle that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” they said in a joint statement today.
The quartet stressed that any expressions of solidarity with Arun do not represent DAP’s official stance on the matter, noting that no directive or consensus within the party indicates a leaning towards any of the parties involved.
“In this matter, our position is that DAP should adopt a middle-ground approach, upholding the principles of justice and ‘innocent until proven guilty’, as well as the integrity of the legal process, while at the same time avoiding any actions that could give rise to perceptions of interference or bias,” the group said.
The deputy minister had received significant backlash after images and news reports recorded him standing with Arun and his legal team before the proceedings, with many considering it unbefitting of someone in his position.
In a statement addressing the criticism, Kulasegaran said he had stopped by the court on his way back to Kuala Lumpur to speak to Arun on “trusting the legal process”.
“I wish to clarify that I only met Arun briefly in the vicinity of the court complex before leaving. I was not present in the courtroom when the charges were read and proceedings held,” he claimed.
Double standards
PAS Youth deputy chairperson Hafez Sabri also criticised Kulasegaran’s conduct, describing it as inappropriate and raised concerns over the integrity of the legal process.
He also claimed that there was a stark contrast between the treatment received by Arun and controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth, who faced a similar charge that day.
According to Hafez, Zamri was brought to court in handcuffs under heavy police escort, while Arun arrived freely without restraints and was even accompanied by a high-ranking member of government.
“Do not attempt to mislead the public by portraying today’s prosecution of Arun as proof that the Madani government is acting fairly. In reality, this issue should have been handled transparently from the very beginning.
“The government appears to have acted only after facing intense public pressure, rather than out of a consistent commitment to enforcement integrity,” he said in a statement today.
Hafez stressed that justice must be applied equally, warning against a system that is “harsh on the weak but lenient on the powerful”.
He added that the independence of the judiciary and the professionalism of law enforcement were at stake and called for equal treatment for all Malaysians regardless of status or political affiliation.
Yesterday, Arun and Zamri each pleaded not guilty to separate charges under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which criminalises statements made with the intent to cause, or which may cause, public disturbance, and carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Arun is alleged to have committed a similar offence via a video posted on his Instagram account at about 3.45pm on March 12 last year at Ikea Batu Kawan, Penang.
Zamri was accused of disturbing public peace through a Facebook post on Feb 3 related to a gathering involving “illegal temples”.- Mkini
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