Two key organisers of Janji Demokrasi, national laureate A Samad Said and Maria Chin Abdullah, have been summoned by the police for questioning over the gathering on the eve of Merdeka Day.

According to Bernama , Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh said the two would be required to give their statements at the Dang Wangi police station at 3pm tomorrow.

NONE "The statement of the two organisers is important while others involved in organising the gathering will also be called up," he told reporters the Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Kuala Lumpur traffic police in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Earlier, Samad told Malaysiakini that he had received the notice today which instructed him to be present at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 6pm to have his statements recorded.

He said that the notice said that he would be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"The notice came at 4pm and they wanted me to show up at 6pm. To me, there is no need to abuse me. You shouldn't give me the notice today and expect me to show up immediately.

"Show some respect for the elderly," said Samad, adding that he had negotiated to be present the following day.

NONE He said he was unable to show up as requested because he had to attend a Bersih 2.0 meeting this evening.

Asked to speculate on why he was wanted by the police, Samad said it was likely due to his poetry recital during the Merdeka Day eve event.

Last Thursday night, Samad led some 10,000 people in a gathering next to Dataran Merdeka, where the a few thousand were attending a federal government Merdeka Day countdown event.

Samad was among the leaders of an ad hoc coalition known as Gabungan Janji, which held the Janji Demokrasi gathering as a play on the federal government's 'Janji Ditepati' slogan.

NONE The group said the theme of their gathering was specifically chosen to remind the federal government that its promises to institute proper electoral reform were not kept.

According to the news agency, Mohmad said that three of 11 suspects who were involved in a shameful incident during the gathering like stepping on pictures of national leaders, had surrendered themselves while eight others are required to do so soon.

Among three suspects detained were a college student from Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, aged 19; a part-time model, 19 and a private college student from Cheras.

The part-time model surrendered herself at the Sentral police station in Johor Bahru.

The student from Malacca was released after his statement was recorded.

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