Over 160 people have been arrested for alleged illegal assemblies in the first two months of Najib Abdul Razak’s premiership.

Many have been detained for a few hours, while others for a number of days. All have so far been released without the police pressing charges against them.

dap supporter report to brickfields station candlelight vigil 020609 defiant That pattern continued today when the police decided not to charge 12 protesters, including Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee, for a candlelight vigil outside the DAP service centre in Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, on May 19.

Two weeks ago, five lawyers and 15 protesters were also told by the police that no charges would be slapped against them.

Human rights groups have described the arrests as police’s “harassment” and “abuse of power”. Indeed, why arrest the demonstrators if there is no intention to charge them?

According to an activist, this showed that the police had no legal basis in detaining the protesters.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council ticked off the police for shirking their professional duty and sworn task in protecting citizens.

lawyers at brickfields police station 220509 04 Instead, they are protecting the government, charged the organisation which represents 13,500 lawyers.

“The repressive and forceful manner of dealing with dissent reinforces the perception that the police force is biased in favour of the government of the day,” lamented council’s chairperson Ragunath Kesavan.

“The rule of law must be respected, and applied to all, including the police, which must regain public confidence as an institution not mired in politics. It must not be seen as a tool to intimidate and cow those who express disagreement.”

Cops punishing those who dare speak out

The Bar Council has been especially incensed with the arrest of five lawyers last month who were providing legal help to those arrested.

bar council suhakam memo 5 detained lawyers incident 200509 ragunath About 1,400 outraged lawyers called for the resignation of both the police chief and the home minister over the arrests at an emergency general meeting last month.

Ragunath decried that Najib’s government “appears determined to crack down on all dissent, persecuting and punishing those who dare speak out”.

“We urge the police to exercise restraint and to even-handedly protect and uphold the rights of all concerned citizens peacefully to express their opinions,” said the Bar Council leader.

“As much as dissent and opposition may be unpalatable, these must not be silenced but countered with open and healthy debate, reforms and concrete changes.”

It is not clear whether the police would charge the remaining protesters who had been arrested over the past month.

janice lee teratai adun dap candle light vigil arrest 210509 14 Another group will have to report back to the Ampang district police headquarters on June 12 in relation to another vigil held on May 21 at state assemblyperson Lee's service centre in Teratai.

MP Teo, Lee and several others will also have to report back to the Ipoh district police headquarters in connection with a demonstration held outside the Perak state assembly on May 7.