The PKR leader says police are trying to stop next week’s sit-in.
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice president N Surendran today refused to give a statement to the police regarding a planned protest over the issue of stateless Indians and indigenous Malaysians.
“I will give my statement in open court, not to the police,” he told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with officers at the Travers police station here. He went there with his lawyers, S Ambiga and Latheefa Koya.
The protest, publicised as a “sit-in rally,” is scheduled for Dec 12 and will be held outside the National Registration Department in Putrajaya.
Police summoned Surendran to the Travers station as a follow-up on a report filed by Inspector George Nipa on Nov 24, the day the PKR leader delivered speeches during a protest march in Brickfields.
The police report was made under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which requires organisers of a peaceful assembly to notify police a month beforehand.
Surendran’s speeches were on the issue of citizenship documentation for Indians born in Malaysia.
He told reporters that today’s attempt to interrogate him was part of a bid to stop next week’s sit-in.
“It is an attempt to crack down on the 12.12.12 protest,” he said. “A few thousand people are expected to turn up.This criminal investigation is improper, uncalled for and an abuse of power.”
Latheefa said Surendran exercised his right to remain silent, provided for under Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Last Saturday, police questioned Kapar MP S Manikavasagam about the Brickfields march.
Manikavasagam said five police officers went to his office to record his statement.
“They questioned me for using the word ‘celaka’ (damn) during the march in Brickfields,” he said. “They also stressed the need for a permit for the 12.12.12 rally.”
He alleged that police were trying to instil fear in activists planning to participate in next week’s protest.
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice president N Surendran today refused to give a statement to the police regarding a planned protest over the issue of stateless Indians and indigenous Malaysians.“I will give my statement in open court, not to the police,” he told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with officers at the Travers police station here. He went there with his lawyers, S Ambiga and Latheefa Koya.
The protest, publicised as a “sit-in rally,” is scheduled for Dec 12 and will be held outside the National Registration Department in Putrajaya.
Police summoned Surendran to the Travers station as a follow-up on a report filed by Inspector George Nipa on Nov 24, the day the PKR leader delivered speeches during a protest march in Brickfields.
The police report was made under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which requires organisers of a peaceful assembly to notify police a month beforehand.
Surendran’s speeches were on the issue of citizenship documentation for Indians born in Malaysia.
He told reporters that today’s attempt to interrogate him was part of a bid to stop next week’s sit-in.
“It is an attempt to crack down on the 12.12.12 protest,” he said. “A few thousand people are expected to turn up.This criminal investigation is improper, uncalled for and an abuse of power.”
Latheefa said Surendran exercised his right to remain silent, provided for under Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Last Saturday, police questioned Kapar MP S Manikavasagam about the Brickfields march.
Manikavasagam said five police officers went to his office to record his statement.
“They questioned me for using the word ‘celaka’ (damn) during the march in Brickfields,” he said. “They also stressed the need for a permit for the 12.12.12 rally.”
He alleged that police were trying to instil fear in activists planning to participate in next week’s protest.
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