Police today questioned 14 individuals in connection with the black flag convoy yesterday organised by civil society groups ahead of a planned protest.
When contacted, lawyer Rajsurian Pillai said six of the individuals, each accompanied by their legal counsel, were questioned at the Brickfields district police headquarters (IPD) from 10am today.
"Investigations were carried out by IPD Brickfields and IPD Dang Wangi.
"There was no compound issued today," Rajsurian told Malaysiakini.
All six individuals were questioned under Section 21A Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
They comprise three activists - Suaram coordinator Mohammad Alshatri, Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai and Nashita Md Noor - and three other supporters, Amanda Lee, Marissa Parry and Hafizah Afiah Bahtiar Apandi.
Rajsurian said seven other individuals were separately questioned at IPD Sepang today while another was called to IPD Melaka Tengah in Malacca.
He added that more individuals linked to the nationwide convoy - organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) ahead of a planned #Lawan street protest on July 31 - are expected to be called in for questioning tomorrow.
The organisers yesterday claimed that the series of black flag convoys, which reportedly involved 100 vehicles nationwide, were met with police intimidation in several areas.
SSR claimed the police disturbed convoys at Quayside Mall in Kuala Langat, Selangor; Manjung in Perak; Pulau Melaka, Bandar Hilir, Limbongan, and Batu Berendam in Malacca; at Cyberjaya, Selangor; and at Kuching, Sarawak.
In a separate statement, rights group Suaram condemned the disruption against the black flag convoys and the investigations against more than 30 individuals in connection with it.
"Suaram believes that this is another act of intimidation and harassment against the organisers and participants protesting the government that has clearly failed in prioritising lives and livelihood in this Covid-19 crisis.
"The act of raising a black flag to show grievances and frustrations against the government is also within the rule of law and a form of expression that should be guarded and respected," said Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.
The rights group also reiterated criticisms against alleged double standards in investigations of any offences and subsequent punishments enforced for any breach in Covid-19 prevention procedures.
"Investigations against ministers or government officials are either ignored or delayed despite concrete evidence and often punished with merely a slap on the wrist," he added. - Mkini
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