Cops, Siti Kasim jointly address media, but probe continues

Police and lawyer Siti Kasim took the diplomatic route as they jointly addressed the media this afternoon over the tussle between her 24-year-old client Anis Izzatty Ruslan and Anis' mother.

This was after police yesterday arrested Siti Kasim for obstructing a public official under Section 186 of the Penal Code, but the magistrate denied police's bid to remand her.

Kajang police chief Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof was seen accompanying Siti Kasim after she was freed at the district police headquarters this evening.

Siti Kasim then pointed the media to Dzaffir who explained that police merely acted on a report by Anis' mother that the lawyer allegedly abducted her from Kajang Hospital, which Anis denies.

"The police had acted in accordance with its jurisdiction and has freed Siti Kasim this very evening," he said.

Dzaffir said police will complete the investigation against Siti Kasim under Section 186 and submit the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Subsequently, Siti Kassim addressed the media, stressing that she was only doing her job as a lawyer. She also pledged to cooperate with the police.

"What happened was in my capacity as a lawyer. I was only doing my duty and I will give my full cooperation to the police to resolve this issue.

"We are going to work together because there are many things (happening) behind (the scenes), which you probably know by now.

"So, I do feel for them (police) because sometimes, you can't get the whole picture or the whole story and I think that was the reason why the magistrate rejected the remand upon hearing the whole and true picture of how it ended up like this," she said.

Anis had reportedly left home, claiming that her mother was "overly controlling", leading to her mother to lodge reports with the religious authorities and police who detained her.

Siti Kasim had provided shelter for Anis at her home in Kuala Lumpur but police yesterday raided the apartment and took Anis away based on a police report by Anis' mother that Siti Kasim had "kidnapped" her.

Siti Kasim subsequently went to the Kajang district police station where Anis was taken to and demanded her release, but was arrested instead.

Responding to a question that she had been aggressive with cops, Siti Kasim said she was doing her best to serve her client.

"I am sure if anyone hired a lawyer, you would want your lawyer to do the best for you and really fight for you to not be detained further," she said.

Siti Kasim and Dzaffir shook hands after the press conference and then invited him to lunch, but the district police chief said he had a Hari Raya open house to attend. - Mkini