In a sudden turn of events, the police today decided not to charge the five members of Terengganu PKR Youth who were arrested yesterday for putting up posters of murdered Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

pkr youth samy vellu police report 160607 fariz musa The five, including Terengganu Youth chief Fariz Musa (left), were released at 1.05am today after police wrapped up questioning and were initially ordered to report to the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate’s Court at 2pm.

Fariz when contacted this morning had said that they would be charged for an offence under section 11 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), but not under the Sedition Act as feared earlier.

He, however, received a call from the police this afternoon and all five were asked to report to the Kuala Terengganu Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office instead and await further instructions.

The investigating officer of the case who wanted to remain anonymous told Malaysiakini that the police, under the instruction of the state’s deputy public prosecutor, had wanted to investigate the matter further.

Police then took all five to the party’s operation centre at Wisma Sentosa in the state’s capital where they took pictures of the place to facilitate investigations.

"They took pictures of the operation centre and all the rooms. They, however, did not take or confiscate anything," Fariz told Malaysiakini, adding that police extended bail and the five will have to report back to the CID office this Sunday.

Fariz: Altantuya is still a relevant issue

Commenting on the matter, the PKR Terengganu youth chief said the investigation on them is a clear attempt to intimidate party members in the run-up to the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

"They are trying to intimidate us. This shows how desperate the authorities are when it comes to the Altantuya issue.

"Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is scared and our arrest shows that the issue is still relevant and we will continue to highlight this matter," Fariz said.

kuala terengganu by election pkr five arrested for altantuya poster 050109with lawyer (right).JPG Yesterday, the police confiscated about 50 posters when arresting the five. The posters carried a picture of Altantuya on a pink background, without any wordings.

Fariz had told reporters yesterday that the posters were put up as a ‘reminder’ to the public about the scandals associated with Altantuya’s murder.

"We want to welcome Najib (to Kuala Terengganu). We want to remind him of the ghost of Altantuya," he had said.

Najib, who is spearheading Barisan Nasional’s campaign for the Kuala Terengganu by-election on Jan 17, has been implicated by some quarters in the murder which took place in October 2006.

He has repeatedly denied any involvement in the case.