‘It has no business harassing non-members of the organisation.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Suaram today denounced the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for harassing non-Suaram members in its probe into the affairs of the civil rights organisation.
Suaram executive director E Nalini told a press conference that her organisation was giving its full cooperation in the investigation and there was no reason for ROS to summon those individuals for interrogation. She said ROS was being “reckless”.
“ROS should first reply to our letter dated Oct 29, asking them under what jurisdiction they are investigating us when we are registered under the Companies Act 1965,” she said. “They have yet to respond.”
In recent days, ROS has issued notices under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code to eight prominent activists who are not affiliated to Suaram.
The eight are Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvan, Empower executive director Maria Chin Abdullah, PKR vice-president Tian Chua, DAP publicity chief Tony Pua, Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong and lawyers Syahredzan Johan and Roger Chan.
ROS is investigating Suaram on issues related to its funding. This followed an accusation by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the organisation’s activities were “highly suspicious”.
Lawyer Edmund Bon, whose clients are Maria, Tian and Arutchelvan, said he would be sending a legal notice to ROS this week.
He said enforcement agencies could not send notices under Section 111 unless they had proof that the recipients were affiliated to the entity being probed.
“My clients are not affiliated to Suaram in anyway,” Bon said. “If they don’t respond to our notice, we will consider taking legal action.”
He accused ROS of going on a “fishing expedition” and attempting to find fault with Suaram in any way it could.
“It seems like the Attorney-General’s Chambers has sent back the investigation papers to the authorities for further action despite having no case against Suaram,” he said.
His clients would not respond to the ROS notice, he added.
FMT learned that Syahredzan and Lim too would not present themselves for interrogation.
Maria said ROS’ harassment of individuals showing support for Suaram was against the principle of freedom of association.
“It looks like even if you sit beside Nalini, you will be called for questioning,” she said. “This is the message they are sending.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Suaram today denounced the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for harassing non-Suaram members in its probe into the affairs of the civil rights organisation.Suaram executive director E Nalini told a press conference that her organisation was giving its full cooperation in the investigation and there was no reason for ROS to summon those individuals for interrogation. She said ROS was being “reckless”.
“ROS should first reply to our letter dated Oct 29, asking them under what jurisdiction they are investigating us when we are registered under the Companies Act 1965,” she said. “They have yet to respond.”
In recent days, ROS has issued notices under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code to eight prominent activists who are not affiliated to Suaram.
The eight are Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvan, Empower executive director Maria Chin Abdullah, PKR vice-president Tian Chua, DAP publicity chief Tony Pua, Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong and lawyers Syahredzan Johan and Roger Chan.
ROS is investigating Suaram on issues related to its funding. This followed an accusation by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the organisation’s activities were “highly suspicious”.
Lawyer Edmund Bon, whose clients are Maria, Tian and Arutchelvan, said he would be sending a legal notice to ROS this week.
He said enforcement agencies could not send notices under Section 111 unless they had proof that the recipients were affiliated to the entity being probed.
“My clients are not affiliated to Suaram in anyway,” Bon said. “If they don’t respond to our notice, we will consider taking legal action.”
He accused ROS of going on a “fishing expedition” and attempting to find fault with Suaram in any way it could.
“It seems like the Attorney-General’s Chambers has sent back the investigation papers to the authorities for further action despite having no case against Suaram,” he said.
His clients would not respond to the ROS notice, he added.
FMT learned that Syahredzan and Lim too would not present themselves for interrogation.
Maria said ROS’ harassment of individuals showing support for Suaram was against the principle of freedom of association.
“It looks like even if you sit beside Nalini, you will be called for questioning,” she said. “This is the message they are sending.”
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