'Why prolonged lockup for a PM critic, but just a day for Najib?'

Lawyer M Visvanathan today questioned the six-day remand of his client Jufazli Shi Ahmad was remanded for seven days for allegedly insulting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when former premier Najib Abdul Razak was held for just a day over heavier charges.

He said this after a magistrate extended Jufazli's remand by a day at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

In a 58-minute video, Jufazli had accused Mahathir of corruption, power abuse and colluding with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He was subsequently picked up by police on March 16, and released yesterday after spending five days in remand.

Just 10 minutes later, however, Jufazli (below) was rearrested by police, according to another of his lawyers, Syed Amirul Syed Edros.

As Visvanathan noted, his client was treated excessively in the case.

"In my opinion, it is unnecessary to detain him for a video that criticises the prime minister. He should not have been detained and remanded further.

"If you are not satisfied with any action, just charge him in court… Keeping any suspect under custody is only when necessary," the lawyer told reporters outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

'Unjust treatment'

Visvanathan also lamented the apparent injustice of the different treatments accorded to Jufazli and the former premier, who is facing multiple charges in relation to 1MDB and SRC International.

"Najib was charged with breach of trust, among others. But he was remanded for a day, but not for this kid (Jufazli).

"It seems our criminal justice system does not allow us to criticise those who are in power, but if somebody accused of breach of trust gets a shorter detention period, I feel this not right."

Visvanathan urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to order the police not to further extend remand periods for those accused of the same crimes as his client.

Earlier, Syed Amirul (above) said Jufazli was probed under Section 504 of the Penal Code for an intentional insult with an intent to provoke a breach of the peace, along with Section 233 of Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act 1998 for posting offensive content.

The lawyer said his client complained of being denied the right to meet his counsel, but denied that he faced any violence in detention.

Jufazli was subsequently released at 5pm, according to Syed Amirul.

"Jufazli was released with police bail at the Dang Wangi police headquarters, even though the remand order was for until tomorrow.

"The investigation officer agreed to release Jufazli earlier."

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