Umany leaders have apologised, end probe, PKR man tells cops

 

Umany leaders after they were called to give statements to police.

PETALING JAYA: PKR’s Rawang assemblyman, Chua Wei Kiat, has called for the investigations against the Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) leaders to stop, saying they have apologised to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for their controversial statement.

“I call on the police to stop investigations and allegations immediately to defend the people’s right to freedom,” Chua said in a statement today.

He said students have the right to voice their opinions. “It is not appropriate for this right to be denied by using the Sedition Act, which clearly is in conflict with the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

“The Sedition Act is a draconian law left by British colonialists that is no longer applicable at this time. The use of this Act to restrict freedom of expression is a backward step for national democracy,” he said, adding that it should be repealed.

Umany had published an article titled “Yang di-Pertuan Agong should not intervene in national affairs” on its Facebook page.

Following that, police started an investigation into several of its leaders, including president Robin Yap Wen Qing and vice-president Tan Li Yuan, under the Sedition Act and Communications and Multimedia Act.

Former Umany president Wong Yan Ke, who allegedly recorded and broadcast live on Facebook a police raid on Yap’s house, has been charged with disobeying a police order to stop.

Legal groups and human rights advocates have come to the defence of Umany, saying the police action against the leaders was unjust. - FMT