Perak PAS deputy commissioner Razman Zakaria has filed a suit against the police and government over his alleged wrongful arrest and detention prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally.

He claims the arrest is a violation of his constitutional right under Article 9 which provides for freedom of movement.

The action filed today is to be followed by suits to be filed in Kuala Lumpur by a possible 50 other Perak PAS members against the government, following the pre-Bersih 2.0 crackdown.

NONE Razman, 51 ( centre ), from Lenggong Perak, named the inspector-general of police and government as defendants in the civil suit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry by the firm Awi & Co.

Razman claimed he was taking the KTM Komuter train from Klang to KL Sentral.

Upon reaching his destination at 11.30am on July 9, an inspector asked him to produce his identity card, but Razman questioned why he should show it.

Razman said as a result of not showing the IC, he was arrested by the police for allegedly obstructing the officer from performing his duties.

He claims the arrest is a violation of his constitutional right which allows a person the mobility to travel anywhere.

NONE He is seeking a declaration that his arrest and detention is unlawful.

Razman is seeking exemplary and general damages and costs for the action.

In his statement of claim, Razman alleged he was dragged into a police truck which was filled with other people, and following that other arrests were made at KL Sentral.

He alleged there was no ventilation in the truck as it was crowded and it was covered on both sides with a canvas sheet, resulting in it being hot and lacking air.

“We pleaded with the police to open the canvas but they did not entertain our request and in fact we had to wait for an hour,” he claimed.

Razman claimed all of them were brought to the Police Training Centre in Jalan Semarak, and that  he was released unconditionally by 9.30pm on the same day.

“Till today there is no charge levelled against me. Until my release I was not told the grounds of the arrest or what was my crime,” he said.

Mahfuz and Salahuddin to sue

PAS central committee member Asmuni Awi, who heads the party’s legal division, said two vice-presidents - Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayob - are also scheduled to file similar suits on Monday.

“Today’s action is the first of 50 other similar actions which will be filed in the coming days against the police and government for wrongful arrest and detention,” he said, adding that his firm would file the bulk of the action.

Asmuni said the police action was improper as many were not told the grounds of the arrest.

“We will also be lodging complaints to Bersih and Suhakam for action to be taken. I understand that  PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu will file a complaint.

Razman, in questioning his arrest, said the alleged rally had not started, yet he was arrested.

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