NGO to top cop: Retract weapons claim, or we sue

Jingga 13 has urged KL deputy police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh to withdraw the claim that the NGO is allegedly involved in a plot to cause unrest during an anti-price hike protest on New Year’s eve at Dataran Merdeka, or face legal action.

Jingga 13 deputy coordinator Amizudin Ahmat (right) said such allegation was malicious, defamatory and nonsensical, aimed at diverting attention from the real issue, which is rising costs.

“Jingga 13 has never, at any time, released any statement or instruction to anyone, through whatever instrument, planning to cause any unrest, what more involving the use of weapons of bombs with the intention of toppling the government,” he said after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters today.

He was referring to a statement by Amar Singh yesterday alleging that protesters from four NGOs plan to use various weapons, including grenades, to spark unrest.

The four NGOs named were - Jingga 13, Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM).

Amizudin today further demanded that police produce evidence to back this claim.

He added that the organisation was also mooting filing a defamation suit against Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and TV3 should Amar Singh not retract his claim.

“Jingga 13 stresses that these malicious accusations against us is slander intended to spoil our reputation and intimidate the rakyat with claims of chaos, weapons and hand grenades,” he said.

Meanwhile, SAMM has stated it will send a letter of demand to Amar on Monday.

Turun chief Azan Safar (left), who is the main mover of the anti-price hike protest on Dec 31, has accused the government of attempting to divert attention from bread and butter issues.

Azan has insisted that the protest is solely aimed at putting pressure on the government for increasing prices of electricity, sugar, fuel and other essential items.