Police today recorded statements from 11 individuals who organised and participated in the Palestine Solidarity rally in Kuala Lumpur on New Year’s Eve that concluded a six-day symbolic siege of the US Embassy.
Palestine Solidarity Secretariat spokesperson Tian Chua said all of them cooperated with investigations under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 at the Pudu police station this morning.
“I believe what we did was perfectly legal and protected under the law.
“It is up to the police to make other conclusions if they think otherwise,” Tian Chua told reporters outside the police station.
The individuals were accompanied by their lawyers and Tian Chua said all due processes were followed.
Aside from Tian Chua, among the 11 individuals questioned for around 30 minutes each included former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan, Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi, social activist Hishamuddin Rais and Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.
Sevan noted that police didn't have to waste resources on the questioning when there was no untoward incident and there was police surveillance at the rally site along Jalan Ampang.
“There were many recordings, including from the police of incidents throughout the protest. That should be enough.
“There was no need to call 15 people to waste the police’s time, government resources and also our time,” he said.
Freedom of assembly
Police were scheduled to question 15 individuals today but only 11 were present.
“Just call one or two people, and that too only if there were any incidents or criminal elements.
“We have a new inspector-general of police, we have a new prime minister, so why are the police still using an outdated procedure?” said Sevan.
He stressed that freedom of assembly is a basic right of the people, and the authorities should reduce subsequent investigations into peaceful assemblies.
Meanwhile, Ambiga said the rally was to highlight the sufferings of the Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the fighting.
“Don’t stop writing about what’s happening in Palestine, it’s more important than what’s happening to us,” she said.
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