Aliran slams Lims arrest, says police become oppressive tool

comments     Yap Mun Ching     Published     Updated

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang's arrest this morning has "no justifiable grounds" as the former opposition leader was merely distributing informative leaflets, said social reform movement Aliran.

In a press statement, president P Ramakrishnan said the Penang-based Aliran is disturbed that the institution of the police has been turned into a political tool of oppression.

"Sometimes, it seems that in their enthusiasm to play this role, the police act even when there is no justifiable grounds as revealed in Lim's case.

Lim was arrested this morning in Ipoh, Perak, for allegedly distributing leaflets at a local market containing seditious statements critical of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

However, Lim told malaysiakini earlier that he was initially arrested for distributing leaflets without a 'permit'.

"Aliran condemns such totally unjustified high-handed action, which unnecessarily harasses well-meaning Malaysians who mean well for the country," said Ramakrishnan.

Maintaining power

He added that Lim's act in distributing leaflets is certainly not life-threatening to the nation nor does it pose any security problems.

"It shows that the Malaysian government can only maintain its grip on power through intimidation of the people. It is through intimidation that the culture of fear is being vigorously inculcated," said Ramakrishnan.

Lim had earlier launched the DAP's People's Awareness Campaign against the Islamic state declaration by Mahathir on Sept 29 last year.

The leaflet explains why Mahathir's declaration is wrong and argues that Malaysia is still a secular state. It also states that the party's campaign against the declaration is not "anti-Islam or anti-any religion but to promote greater inter-religious understanding".

The opposition leader has since been released on a RM3,000 police bail and asked to report to the Ipoh magistrate's court on July 5.



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