Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz said civil society organisations will cooperate with police probes as long as the investigative process is transparent.
Amid ongoing police investigations under Section 124B of the Penal Code for actions that threaten democracy, he noted concerns about how questions posed to activists appeared to target their organisations.
“We need transparency on the purpose of the investigation and where is the direction of the questions?
“So far, the questioning has touched on other matters, including politics, and others beyond the scope of the investigation,” Faisal said during a press conference with civil society leaders at Pusat Komas, Petaling Jaya, today.
“There is no issue to cooperate with any investigations so long as there is transparency and no element of intimidation,” he added.
On March 11, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) sounded the alarm following a police probe into Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) CEO Pushpan Murugiah.
LFL executive director Zaid Malek, who is also Pushpan’s lawyer, said the activist was summoned for questioning after his name appeared in an email connected to allegations that a “high-powered individual” was involved in efforts to destabilise the government through an international media organisation.
Zaid did not name names but clearly referred to a Bloomberg exposé on MACC’s alleged collusion with “corporate mafias”, which prompted a police report that led to the probe under Section 124B.
Subsequently, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the widow of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, denied any form of effort to topple the government.
Pushpan, who was present today, confirmed he was not informed of the nature of the investigation and that police had also questioned him on C4 Center’s functions and operations.
Intimidation, broken trust
Meanwhile, political analyst Ooi Kok Hin, who was also summoned to assist the probe, revealed alleged intimidation by investigating officers.
“For some of them who were summoned, police went to their family homes, offices, or in some cases, universities without any prior notice.
“I think that is a form of intimidation. For many of us, even if we receive a WhatsApp from the police, we will go to see them. There is no need for any show of force,” said Ooi, a former Bersih executive director.
He said this when asked how the police can reform the investigation process, in the context of the ongoing Section 124B probe.
Meanwhile, Suaram executive director Azura Nasron said many civil society organisations have established a level of “trust” with the government through various engagements on key policy matters.
“When you (the government) need any input or resources, you will reach out to us. But in incidents like this, you use the police to investigate us.
“What happened to the trust that we have built? It actually revealed that there was never any real trust, and you (the government) are only using us (civil society) for our resources,” she said.
Bersih, C4 Center, and Suaram were among 10 organisations that earlier issued a statement condemning the use of Section 124B. The statement was also endorsed by 49 organisations and 30 individuals.
On Feb 27, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail confirmed the police have launched an investigation under Section 124B into an alleged conspiracy to topple the government and sabotage the country’s stability. - Mkini
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