Selayang MP concerned as cops probe Anwar over ‘revoke emergency’ call

 

Selayang MP William Leong has questioned if there is political interference behind the police’s move to investigate opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The probe is over the PKR president’s statement calling for lawmakers to petition the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to rescind the emergency proclamation.

News website Malaysia Now previously reported that the police was responding to reports lodged that accused Anwar of committing sedition for questioning the monarch’s powers.

In a statement today, Leong said he saw “no reasonable grounds” for the investigation.

“There was nothing seditious said by Anwar. Furthermore, Anwar’s call obviously falls within Section 3(2) of the Sedition Act 1948.

“Therefore, it cannot by any stretch of the imagination be taken to be seditious or to have a seditious tendency,” he contended.

Section 3(2) lists exceptions to what can be deemed seditious. One of the exceptions is if an act is to show a ruler that they have been misled or mistaken.

Bukit Aman is presently investigating Anwar under two sections - Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (statements conducing to public mischief) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988 (improper use of network facilities or network service).

Leong opined that Anwar’s statement did not harbour any intent to cause public mischief, fear or alarm.

He further questioned if the police were “ordered” to investigate Anwar and “undermine” PKR.

“The investigations in the present circumstances raise disquiet as to whether members of the police may have been ordered or forced to exercise his or her function or powers or deploy police resources to promote or undermine any political party or interest group or any member of such a party or group.

“The police have the duty to uphold the rights of and afford protection to all political parties, persons and organisations equally without fear or favour,” he said.

Leong hoped that the police would be able to maintain political impartiality in their operations.

“The police must carry out their duties and functions without anyone fearing that what the police is doing is guided by political motives or pressure,” Leong added.

Earlier this month, Anwar had urged MPs to write to the Agong to plead for the emergency declaration to be revoked and for Parliament to be convened before Jan 31.

Last week, the Port Dickson lawmaker claimed that up to 115 MPs - more than half the Dewan Rakyat - rejected the emergency declaration.

Separately, he has also sought a court declaration that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s advice for Parliament to be suspended during the emergency was unconstitutional. - Mkini