Charges against 30 PSM activists dropped

Following the intended abolition of ISA, the police have dropped charges against 30 activists of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), including the six who had been detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO).

According to PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan, they were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

"The decision of the AG simply means that the charges are currently dropped, but does not amount to acquittal - which means that they can be charged with the same offence in the future," he said in a statement issued this afternoon.

"This latest AG's decision to drop the charges is due to the efforts of many people who dared to fight oppression and who wanted to see justice and democracy prevail in Malaysia.

"PSM salutes all these great warriors, for without them, this release would not be possible," Arutchelvan added.

All 30 were first arrested in Sungai Dua, Penang, while they were on the PSM-organised 'Udahlah, Bersara' roadshow on June 25, on suspicion of planning to 'wage war against the Agong'.

Then, the police detained the six activists, dubbed the EO6, for 28 days under the EO over their 'key role' in the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally.

After the EO6 were released, they were charged in a Butterworth sessions court on Aug 3 under two separate laws - the Societies Act and the Internal Security Act - for allegedly possessing subversive documents.

The six included Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and PSM activists Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sarasvathy, M Sukumaran, and A Letchumanan.

The same charges were slapped against the remaining 24 activists.

All 30 were supposed to go on trial on Oct 10.

Arutchelvan also expressed the party's appreciation to all those who had contributed towards putting up the bail money for the 30 following their arrest.

"While PSM is happy with this decision, we seek justice and answers. The AG's office had merely given a DNAA.

"Let us not forget that the 30 were initially remanded for waging a war against the Agong under section 122 of Penal Code. That law remains and can be used arbitrarily against any other activist or movement in the future," he said.

Arutchelvan demanded that the authorities provide answers as to why the PSM activists were forced to undergo the ordeal in the first place.

"Who is responsible for that and will they be charged? What about the two foreign guests who were arrested, detained and humiliated in the media? Who is responsible for that?

"What about the news that PSM supporters planned to bomb the police station in Sungai Siput?

"Who made these allegations and will they be charged?

"What about the many more slanders and slurs thrown at us by some mainstream media?" he asked.

In addition to demanding that the prime minister, home minister and inspector-general of police "clarify and apologise" for all that has happened, PSM will also seek a meeting with the home minister to highlight and seek clarification on the gross violations suffered by the activists.

"The authorities must be held responsible for all the unfounded allegations, slanders and unlawful arrests and detention.

PSM, in the meantime, vowed to fight on and to continue to seek justice over the events since the June 25 arrest.

"The march for change and democracy will continue," Arutchelvan added.