Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan has slammed the police for what he described as “non-essential work” investigating activists for participating in the May Day rally.
This was after the police recorded statements from Arutchelvan and three others earlier today to facilitate an investigation into their participation in the Labour Day rally in Kuala Lumpur on April 23.
"I feel that the police have two kinds of work, the essential work which includes fighting crime as well as the non-essential work. I call this non-essential work.
"While I don't mind that the police initiated an investigation after a member of the public lodges a report, but the fact that the police monitored the entire process… is really a waste of time, resources, and taxpayers' money," said Arutchelvan.
Arutchelvan and three others turned up at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for questioning.
They were Kohila Yanasekaran from the event’s organising committee, T Mohan Ellen from Subang PSM, and Suaram’s coordinator Wong Yan Ke.
They were being probed under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Arutchelvan said a proper process was in place as the police were notified five days before the rally as stipulated under the Peaceful Assembly Act.
The district police chief also had a meeting with the organiser of the May Day rally, he added.
"On the day of the rally, the police even assisted in handling the traffic on the ground," he said.
On the questioning, Arutchelvan said they gave their statements to the police for about two hours where about 26 questions were asked to four of them.
"We just said we would answer these questions in court," he said.
The Workers Day rally was held at Central Market Kuala Lumpur with 150 participants to call for greater social security for workers.
The rally, which is usually held around May 1, was held on April 23 instead this year to avoid clashing with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
The rally’s declaration listed 26 demands, including an RM1,500 minimum wage and abolishing the contract system. - Mkini
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