May Day marchers out on bail, told to report back May 16
updated version
Several activists who were arrested for participating in a May Day march in Kuala Lumpur yesterday were released on police bail this morning.The 17, including two women were told to report back at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters on May 16 to find out if they would face any legal action.
Among those detained were Parti Sosialis Malaysia pro tem president Dr Nasir Mohd Hashim, 56, vice-president Dr D Jeyakumar, 46, human rights organisation Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvan, Community Development Centre members V Selvam, 41 and Seevan Doraisamy, 24.
While the two women held were, social activist Lee Siew Ha, 33 and PSM member R Manorani,46.
Nasir today criticised the police for behaving aggressively and asked why the detainees had to be held overnight despite no charges being brought against them.
I think the police have gone mad, especially (Dang Wangi OCPD) Bakri Zinin. His behaviour is unbecoming of a police chief.
In fact, some of the lower ranking officers were more approachable, he told malaysiakini when met outside the police headquarters after he was released.
Democratic rights
Echoing similar sentiments was Jeyakumar who lambasted the police for their high handed action and called on the department to stop denying the democratic rights of the people by using security as an excuse.
If the police are professional they should be aware that democracy and preserving security cannot be separated, they co-exist, you cannot have one without the other, he said.
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