Ali Abdul Jalil's lawyer New Sin Yew says his client is still in high spirits despite a 'roadshow' to intimidate him. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 26, 2014.
Activist Ali Abd Jalil is expected to be released from police custody tomorrow at 12.30pm after 19 days in detention, but could be arrested yet again, his lawyer New Sin Yew said.
New expressed concern that Ali could be re-arrested following police reports against Ali in Nusajaya.
Ali was re-arrested on Tuesday just after he was released on a bail of RM8,000 at the Shah Alam court complex. He was taken to Johor, a move which New has called a "roadshow" to intimidate Ali.
"This entire roadshow process which my client has been subjected to by the police is just wrong," New told The Malaysian Insider, saying Ali had spent a total of 19 days in police custody, alternating between Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor.
He said Ali had spent more time in police custody than a murder suspect, who can be held up to 14 days before police had to release or prosecute him.
"But if you are accused of posting something on Facebook, then you end up being detained longer than a murder suspect," New remarked.
"Any experienced criminal lawyer would instantly know that the roadshow was being used by the police as a form of mental and psychological torture.
"It is making the suspect go through the process, to make them talk and lose morale," New said, adding that his client appeared to be in high spirits.
New met his client in Johor Baru today for about 30 minutes, as Ali was brought before the magistrate, who granted police a one-day remand extension.
"His family has been under a lot of emotional stress but they are holding up well and trying to give Ali as much moral support as possible," New said.
New said the sedition saga surrounding Ali made it appear as if Malaysia was in the 17th century instead of 2014.
"The whole saga highlights how ridiculous the Sedition Act 1948 is, as it appeared to be a crime for people to express their thoughts.
"The way in which people are expressing their independent thoughts and opinions can result in them being taken on a nationwide roadshow by the police," New said.
"Police also do not seem capable of making investigations easy for themselves and the suspect, as everything should be centralised."
On Tuesday, The Malaysian Insider reported that Ali, who had been held at the Sungai Buloh prison on remand after being charged with sedition, had alleged that he was assaulted by a prison official.
The incident reportedly occurred on the first night of his detention on September 8.
It is understood that a police report was lodged by his elder brother at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail police station on Saturday.
Ali had earlier informed his family about the beatings when they visited him at the Sungai Buloh prison.
He was first imprisoned on September 8 and later claimed that he was beaten by a prison officer who spoke with an east coast accent.
The officer allegedly punched, slapped and hit Ali using a baton and a rubber pipe in an empty room.
Ali, however, said the beatings did not leave any marks or injuries on the body.
He said he was not able to tell anyone of this as he was prevented from meeting anyone before Friday, when he met New.
Ali, who was charged with sedition on September 8 over his Facebook postings in January, said another warden had threatened to get the other prisoners to beat him up.
The activist with the Anything But Umno (ABU) movement is accused of posting seditious remarks on a Facebook page called "Kapitalis Bangsat" through three separate comments, allegedly belittling the Johor sultanate and calling for it to be abolished.
- TMI
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