Cops question lawyer over 'Anwar scammer' speech in sedition probe

A speech labelling Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a “scammer” for alleged unfulfilled promises has landed a lawyer in a sedition probe.

Speaking to reporters outside Bukit Aman, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said he was earlier questioned under the Sedition Act 1948 for the content of his speech delivered during a June anti-government rally held outside the prime minister’s official residence in Putrajaya.

Rafique, an organiser of the "Rakyat Lawan Anwar" rally, said the Kangar district police had contacted him over a report lodged in Perlis by an unnamed NGO over his speech dubbed "Scammer, Scammer, Anwar Scammer".

“The title ‘Scammer, scammer, Anwar scammer’ caught the attention of a few NGOs.

“One of the NGOs in Perlis lodged a police report against me and the investigation that was conducted upon me is none other than Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948, together with Section 233 of Communications and Multimedia Act and also Section 505B if the Penal Code,” said the Pejuang information chief.

‘Broken promises’

On June 29, around 400 protesters gathered in Putrajaya to voice their dissatisfaction against Anwar’s administration.

Rafique, as one of the speakers, listed “six major scams” including the continued use of outdated laws such as the Sedition Act against government critics despite past promises by Pakatan Harapan to abolish the British-era law.

Rafique also questioned the government’s commitment against corruption, starting from Harapan’s support of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after the dismissal of his 47 graft charges.

In more recent developments, Rafique in his speech reiterated critics’ calls for Anwar’s administration to align domestic policies with the government’s international support for the Palestinian cause.

Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali during a protest outside MCMC

Further commenting on the probe, Rafique said he fully cooperated with the police and is prepared to answer the charges in court.

He said his mobile phone was also seized to assist with the investigation.

“I have given all the information, there’s no problem with the mobile phone being seized.”

Additionally, Rafique said Putrajaya police previously questioned 12 individuals including other rally organisers.

“I was also called (to have my statement recorded) and cooperated at the Putrajaya district police headquarters,” he added.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa reportedly said that all the identified individuals would be called in connection with a probe under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. - Mkini