Focus on country instead of harassing activist over clown image, Nurul Izzah tells Najib

PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar has been questioned by the police over clown-faced images of the prime minister in her social media accounts. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, March 7, 2016.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should focus on governing the country instead of harassing people over trivial matters such as the posting of his clown-faced photos, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar says.

The Lembah Pantai MP, who was questioned by police today over an alleged posting of a clown image of Najib on her Instagram, was being investigated under the Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998.

"You should post questions to the prime minister, what's with all these harassments?

"Doesn't he have better things to do and doesn't he need to focus on governing the country considering we have been lambasted worldwide thanks to his scandals and pet baby 1Malaysia Development Berhad," she told reporters outside Petaling Jaya police headquarters today.

Izzah, who was accompanied by her lawyer Michelle Yesudas, said today's questioning by police against her and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli was an act of harassment aimed at striking fear among Malaysians.

Rafizi was also being questioned at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur over issues related to Lembaga Tabung Haji.

"It's particularly to strike fear amongst other Malaysians to create a culture of self censorship especially in light of Najib's current position in Umno.

"Members of Parliament are being harassed to make up for Najib's lack of control and command in the country and government today," she said.

Yesudas said today's questioning was not new, and Izzah had used her rights not to answer the questions asked by the police.

"The police's job is to maintain security and safety of the people, if the resource was taken out from the job, how will they work?

"We urge them (police) to work together with progressive society not act against activism and the opposition. We hope it will be the last of it."

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Mohd Zani Che Din meanwhile said that Izzah's statement was recorded by officers from Bukit Aman.

Pictures of a clown-faced Najib have flooded social media over the past few weeks, with hashtag #Kitasemuapenghasut (we are all seditious) after people rallied behind graphic designer Fahmi Reza, who started the clown caricature of the prime minister, was warned by the police.

Fahmi's artwork had also inspired other clown images to pop up on social media recently under the similar hashtag.

He was questioned by the police last week over the matter.

- TMI