Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and activist lawyer Siti Kasim have emerged from questioning over a probe into former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and questioned if there is a political motive behind it.
"We have just given our statements at Bukit Aman. We were called in for investigation under Section 505 of the Penal code (making statements with intent to cause mischief) and 233 of the MCMC Act (sharing or dissemination of false, offensive, and threatening content).
"The investigation is in relation to a statement made by former attorney-general Thomas and the police were extremely professional. In fact, I am truly embarrassed at how we are wasting police time by conducting investigations like this," said Ambiga (above) after the pair gave their statements.
"It's very clear to me that this investigation was one of the demands of Umno to Pakatan Harapan.
"I want to ask the reformist government of Harapan - is this one of the demands of Umno in relation to the investigation of Thomas? Is it connected to the charges that have been brought against some of the Umno leaders? And I really want to know from Harapan, what else have you given away?" Ambiga added.
Siti concurred, saying, "We are wasting our time, the police's time. What kind of offences has been committed? This is trying to suppress our freedom of expression.
"We can't say anything if we are not happy? This is something for the current government to look at. We must rise against this curbing of our rights," she said.
Police launched the investigation against Thomas for an alleged racial remark he made against the government in a forum titled “Dark Forces Towards GE15” on Sept 17 last year.
Bukit Aman secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said police have also launched a similar investigation against Parti Sosialis Malaysia president Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who was also a panellist at the event.
Noorsiah also said both will be investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
In the forum, Thomas allegedly urged the opposition to ask voters whether a “Malay government” would have made the country better and more efficient.
"I repeat my call to Harapan. What are you doing? I want to know Harapan, did you agree to throw the former AG under the bus?
"That’s the perception because it follows the RCI issue all of which are about former AG. Then one must ask the question of why is (Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in particular, interested in it.
"Is it because of the charges he is facing?" Ambiga told Malaysiakini later.
While the investigation was launched when Umno's Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the prime minister, she said the public should not forget that Zahid said Harapan had given in to all their demands.
"Shortly thereafter, the RCI was announced, and these investigations started again. The timing speaks for itself.
"I am so angry at how they are prepared to sacrifice people who worked hard to bring crooks to justice. Then at the drop of a hat, they throw them to the wolves so that they can hold power," Ambiga said. - Mkini
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