PKR vice-president N Surendran was arrested this evening for sedition over his comments on the party's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy II case.

 

The party's legal bureau chief, Latheefa Koya, said Surendran was arrested at 7.25pm and will be charged tomorrow. 

"Yes, he is still under arrest right now, photograph and fingerprint being taken.

"Then he will be bailed out and charged tomorrow," she told Malaysiakini .

Surendran, who is Anwar's lawyer in the Sodomy II case, had gone to the Pudu police station after a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

 

Latheefa ( right ) described the charge which Surendran is likely to face as outrageous as his statement had yet to be recorded. However, police have proceeded to charge him.

She guessed that the authorities are acting on the police reports lodged against Surendran.

Earlier today, Anwar in a press statement accused Umno of interfering in his appeal against the Sodomy II conviction by harassing Surendran.

PKR also issued a similar statement by its media director, Fahmi Fadzil, saying Surendran will be charged at the Jalan Duta courts.

“This is over him stating that Anwar’s Sodomy II charge is a political conspiracy involving (Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak,” said Fahmi.

Lawyers for Liberty also tweeted that Surendran’s statement which he made to the media is based on the defence submission at the Kuala Lumpur High Court trial and hence charging him merely prevents him from discharging his duties as a lawyer.

Surendran, who is also the Padang Serai MP, is expected to be represented by M Puravalen.

‘Abuse of process’

In an immediate reaction, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said charging Surendran without first taking down his statement is an abuse of process.

“The law demands that a statement is taken from a suspect to ensure that he is given a right to be heard and his defence considered even before a decision is made as to whether to charge him or otherwise.”

Condemning the move to charge Surendran, Gobind ( left ) said the DAP has always been against the use of the Sedition Act, which can be abused.

He said Surendran’s case is yet another example of it.

“Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has made a pledge to do away with this Act, but what we see happening is the complete opposite. We see more and more people, in particular opposition members, being charged,” said the Puchong MP, adding that this is made worse with Surendran having yet to record his statement.

He questioned how the attorney-general come to the decision to charge Surendran, without taking into account what the lawmaker had to say.

“This demonstrates the pathetic state of affairs of criminal justice system in Malaysia today and Najib has failed miserably to live up to his promises of reform by repealing the Act and enhance freedom of expression,” he said.

Anwar: Umno 'interfering' in Sodomy II appeal