Stressing that such gatherings are illegal, Mohmad (right) said it would not solve any problems, but instead brings about an “unhealthy atmosphere”. “These vigils are an offence under the law. For the police, it has reached a level where we can no longer tolerate such things, because it can cause anxiety for the local residents.
“So I ask, please let the legal process to proceed as fairly as it can. If we are dissatisfied, street protests are not the way to solve it. We have the courts,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference today where he was asked to comment on a candlelight vigil for student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim last night, and possible upcoming rallies following the arrest of PKR vice-president Tian Chua, Anything But Umno (ABU) chief Haris Ibrahim, and former Batu Berendam MP Tamrin Ghafar today.
A candlelight vigil has been running for several consecutive nights outside the Jinjang police lock-up in solidarity with Adam Adli, reaching its peak last night with about 1,000 people.
However, police then cracked down on the group, arresting 14 men and four women. Confirming the arrests and that they have all been released, Mohmad said they are being investigated under Section 143 of the Penal Code for illegal assembly.
Upon conviction, the charge brings a penalty of up to six months imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Although Adam Adli has been released on bail after being charged this morning, the trio arrested today are now being held at the same police station and there is talk of a candlelight vigil for them as well.
They are being investigated for a similar offence as Adam Adli, which is to allegedly utter seditious speeches during an anti-electoral fraud ceramah on May 13.
Special team to probe Dharmendren’s death
On
a separate matter, Mohmad said police federal headquarters has formed a
special team to take over the investigation of death in custody victim N
Dharmendran (left). He said the case has now been classified as murder after an autopsy report revealed that ‘criminal force’ had been used on Dharmendran, while declining to elaborate on the nature of his injuries.
“I wish to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to all of the victim’s family members (and assure them that) the police are viewing this matter seriously.
“I guarantee to his family members and society at large that the police will handle this investigation transparently and will not defend police officers who had arrested and questioned the victim,” he said.
Dharmendran was arrested on May 11 for allegedly being involved in a fight, but supposedly died on May 21 at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters lock-up.
According to his family’s lawyer N Surendran, the autopsy has revealed signs of torture, including beatings and staples to the victim’s ear, legs and ankles.
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