IGP does not rule out re-arrest for Maria, denies probe closed

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has not ruled out the possibility of Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah being re-arrested.

Responding to a question, he said the police are also investigating Maria under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"We are investigating her under the PPA. That is definite," Khalid told reporters at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

"We will see. If there is a need to arrest, we will arrest (her)," he added.

Maria, who was arrested on Nov 18 under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, was released yesterday.

Bersih is being investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code for attempting to carry out activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

This is over funding the electoral reform movement received from Open Society Foundations (OSF), linked to American billionaire George Soros.

Probe into OSF funds not dropped

Meanwhile, Khalid also denied Maria's claim that the police have dropped its investigation related to the funds.

"This is not true. We will update the investigation and submit a report to the Attorney-General's Chambers. That is the requirement of the law," he said.

Commenting on Maria's release, Khalid said that while the police have powers to detain an individual under Sosma for 28 days, the person would normally be released once police have completed the necessary investigations.

However, Khalid denied Maria's claim that the force has dropped the investigation related to funds received by Bersih.

"This is not true. We will update the investigation and submit a report to the Attorney-General's Chambers. That is the requirement of the law," he said.

Khalid also reiterated that police would not detain any individual for a period longer than necessary to complete an investigation.

"Once we are done, if there is no other reason to detain a person, we will release the person," he said when asked about the release of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman's son and 10 others who ambushed Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in Parliament last week.

The were released last Saturday, after one night in the lock-up, despite police securing a four-day remand order against them

All 11 individuals, comprising eight males and three females, had surrendered to the police on Friday morning.

Police said the 11 were investigated for rioting, under Section 147 of the Penal Code.- Mkini