Police quiz FMT journalists

FMT journalists were quizzed over articles quoting Haris Ibrahim with regard to his proposal to hold a rally to topple the ruling government.

PETALING JAYA: Two FMT journalists yesterday gave statements to the police with regard to their news reports on Haris Ibrahim’s vow to topple the government through a massive street rally.

FMT journalists Lisa J Ariffin and Alyaa Azhar were called to give their respective statements to the police under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with respect to the police officer’s power to require attendance of witnesses.

Both journalists gave their statements to ASP Ananthan Rajoo from the Dang Wangi district police station.

However, it is not clear if Haris will be investigated for suspected offences under the Sedition Act or under the Penal Code as student activist Adam Adli Halim, who also made the same call on a May 13 forum to topple Barisan Nasional through street rallies.

When asked on the arrest of Adam, Ananthan said the police had been monitoring the latter’s movements prior to the forum.

“He had been calling for a massive street rally even before May 13,” he explained.

On May 13, speakers at the forum had unanimously agreed that waiting for five years until the next general election was too long, and vowed to overthrow BN this year through force.

“We will take to the streets and take over Putrajaya. If we really want to overthrow them, there is no other way. Democracy does not work,” Anything But Umno (ABU) spokesperson Haris was quoted as saying.

“The people cannot wait anymore. We don’t want to wait another five years. We will take the streets,” he added.

He had also insisted the street government would go on with or without opposition Pakatan Rakyat’s support.