More arrests possible under Emergency Ordinance

The deputy IGP also told outsiders not to meddle in the affairs of the country.

PETALING JAYA: Police have not dismissed the possibility that more people will be arrested under the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) 1969 for subversive activities.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Abdul Khalid Abu Bakar also brushed aside claims by some groups that police were out to arrest anyone according to their whims.

“We have a law for this. We do not simply arrest – whatever action we take is based on the regulations and laws we have in Malaysia,” he said.

Yesterday, police detained Sungai Siput Member of Parliament Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and five members of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) under the Emergency Ordinance.

To date, 152 people have been arrested under Section 27(5) of the Police Act, he said.

Meanwhile, police have received 2,500 reports from various quarters including traders, individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) throughout the country objecting to illegal street demonstrations planned for July 9.

Abdul Khalid asserted that police had sound reasons to disallow the illegal assemblies while being responsible to ensure security and wellbeing of the people.

“To outsiders who have made various comments against our action my advice is, don’t meddle in the affairs of our country,” he said.

IGP issues his warning

Meanwhile in BUTTERWORTH, Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the police will act according to the provisions of the law against anyone posing a threat to national security.

He said that if the rallies planned for July 9 were to go ahead, they would jeopardise national peace
and lead to chaos.

“Don’t challenge the sovereignty of the law which has been enshrined in the federal constitution. Police will take appropriate action using the law provided against anyone violating the law,” he said here today.
He also urged those intending to participate in the illegal assembly next week to abort their plan or face police action.

Ismail said police had certain strategies which could be used to maintain security.
- Bernama