PSM has raised concerns about the authorities’ decision to charge its chairperson, two other party members, and a farmer over an alleged offence during a 2023 protest concerning the eviction of farmers in Kanthan, Tambun.
In a statement today, PSM said it is “puzzled and disappointed” by the decision to proceed with charges under Section 186 of the Penal Code on obstructing public servants from discharging their official duties.
The individuals expected to be charged are PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, its Sungai Siput branch secretary R Karthiges, his Hulu Kinta counterpart P Kesavan, and a farmer identified as Ho Pon Tien.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said that when the group were initially arrested in October 2023, then PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar had called him to express her objections over the police action.
“She was shocked by the arrests and said she would do her best to help stop the eviction and secure the release of those arrested.
“I wonder whether she has any comments today,” Arutchelvan said.
Nurul Izzah, who is also the daughter of PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is now the party’s deputy president.
‘Why charge now?’
Highlighting that the arrests had taken place in Anwar’s parliamentary constituency of Tambun, Arutchelvan also questioned the timing of the charges, pointing to the Negeri Sembilan election on Aug 1 as well as other political and national matters.
“Why now, more than two years later? Is it an attempt to disrupt PSM’s election campaign in Rahang?
“Is it meant to divert public attention from the impending Tabung Haji-related arrests? Is it an attempt by the Umno-led Perak government to embarrass or undermine the prime minister?” he pressed.
He further urged the authorities to withdraw the charges, asserting that pursuing a case after such a lengthy period of time serves little public interest, wastes public resources, and risks making a mockery of the administration of justice.
PSM’s sole candidate in the Negeri Sembilan polls, S Tinagaran, is looking to secure the Rahang state seat in a four-cornered fight against incumbent DAP’s Desmond Siau, MCA’s Yap Siok Moy, and Bersama’s Tang Jay Son.
PSM deputy secretary-general KS Bawani told Malaysiakini that Jeyakumar and the others had received calls from the Ipoh district police headquarters on July 28 asking them to appear in court tomorrow to face the charges.
However, she said that a request to postpone the charges has been submitted, considering the party’s work for the state election on Aug 1 and its upcoming congress next month.
PSM has not received a reply on whether their request has been approved.
Told to vacate in a week
On Oct 24, 2023, police arrested the four individuals for trying to stop the eviction of farmers in Kanthan. They were later released on the same day.
Earlier in the day, PSM central committee member Chong Yee Shan suffered injuries to her mouth and nose after being allegedly shoved by an officer from the Perak Land and Minerals Office during the same protest.
At the time, a total of 200 farmers were involved in the farming sector in Kanthan, which is considered the largest vegetable-producing region in the state.
The protest centred on six farmers who received eviction notices dated Oct 13, informing them that their farms are on land belonging to the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) and ordering them to vacate within a week.
The farmers agreed to abide by the order but asked the state government for alternative land since they had toiled on the farms for a long time. - Mkini
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