Eight Penang lawyers are working to seek a judicial review of the seven-day remand order issued for the detention of 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists.

                    

The activists, including Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar, have been remanded for investigations since Saturday night for allegedly “waging war” against the Agong.

suaram forum on police 260910 arutchelvan Acording to PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan (right) , the items the police found in their possession - and which are deemed be offensive - are not weapons but t-shirts which are easily available anywhere.

"The Penang Bar is helping us out in seeking a judicial review to reduce the (period of the) remand and seek their release," he said.

"I know that 30 people including Jeyakumar were arrested. They initially refused to give their statement, saying they would tell all in court. However, the police were not satisfied and they sought (to record) a second statement," he said.

Arutchelvan said a scuffle ensued when the police wanted to record their statement and made their way into the bus , where they found Rashid Maidin t-shirts.

"I understand there are three such t-shirts but this is widely sold anywhere and does not mean we support communism," he said.

"We are thankful for the lawyers from the Penang Bar who are providing legal assistance. This shows that we are getting the support of the ordinary people against this persecution.”

He said he understands that the Malaysian Bar has also pledged assistance if the need arises.

Part of ‘Udahlah’ campaign

Arutchelvan said he had led a team of 28 people over the weekend as part of the ‘Udahlah’ campaign and that they too were held by the police.

NONE He said they are being investigated for alleged illegal assembly and sedition, as well as possible offences under the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

“There was no mention (that we are) being investigated for waging war against the Agong or (for) treason,” he said.

“Why was all this necessary? The attempt is merely to create suspicion and fear about us among Malaysians, when this campaign is merely to create awareness of BN's 54 years of abuse of power which diminishes the rights of workers.”

Arutchlvan said the party is only asking the people to replace the BN, which is “corrupt and undemocratic”.

jerit ride for change youths held at rawang police station protest 161208 a sivarajan Treasurer A Sivarajan (right) said Malaysia and the police should recognise that a peace accord had been signed between the government and the Communist Party of Malaya to end the insurgency.

“Why is there a need to bring this up when it is dead? Furthermore, we are not armed (but) merely wearing t-shirts. Since when can waging a war against the (Agong) be done (with) t-shirts?

“The Al-Maunah movement was charged because they seized arms when they raided (military) camps. Did we raid army camps to get arms? We are merely distributing leaflets to call for  change.”

He urged the authorities to stop their “high-handed tactics” against PSM.

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