From Bukit Aman to Dang Wangi - Cops to quiz Fadiah again
After being quizzed by the police at Bukit Aman police headquarters today, activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri will have her statement taken again tomorrow.
Fadiah said she and four others will be present at Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 1pm tomorrow in regard to a peaceful rally on Saturday night in the city centre...
Updated 6.45pm | After being quizzed by the police at Bukit Aman police headquarters today, activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri will have her statement taken again tomorrow.
Fadiah said she and four others will be present at Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 1pm tomorrow regarding a peaceful rally on Saturday night in the city centre.
The rally followed a political turmoil in the country which resulted in the collapse of Pakatan Harapan government.
"Tomorrow, five activists have been called about a gathering held at Dataran Merdeka.
"I'll be there (at IPD Dang Wangi) and questioned again," she told the media at Bukit Aman.
Malaysiakini has learnt that other than Fadiah, those summoned are student activists Nik Azura Nik Nasron, Liew Liang Hong, Wong Yan Ke, and PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan.
Wong and Nik Azura were also at Bukit Aman to show support for Fadiah.
Wong described the investigation as an effort to "eliminate the progressive power".
"I have been summoned to be investigated. I see all this as an elimination against progressive power.
"The new backdoor government seems to do a cleansing of the progressive force. What they are trying to do is create a chilling effect on society," he said.
Wong urged the youth to continue the fight for democracy in what seems to be a long journey.
Meanwhile, another PSM activist E Nalini, posted on her Facebook page that she and 13 others have been summoned for investigation by Dang Wangi police tomorrow.
"I have been called for investigation with 13 others by the Dang Wangi police station about a gathering at the Sogo shopping mall on Sunday. It will be tomorrow, 3pm at IPD Dang Wangi.
"Police should immediately stop any form of intimidation against those who are exercising their rights to speak and assemble," her post reads.
Malaysiakini has contacted Dang Wangi police chief Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan Abdullah for confirmation.
Harapan condemns probe on Fadiah, Marina and Ambiga
In a separate statement, Harapan secretariat strongly condemned the authorities opening investigations into three activists including Fadiah, Marina Mahathir and Ambiga Sreenevasan.
“It has only been two or three days since the kleptocrat government was restored through backdoor political manoeuvring, the authorities seem to be very fast in acting against the values the Harapan government tried to sow for the past 20 months.
“This is regrettable,” the secretariat said.
Harapan stressed that all Malaysians have a democratic right to gather and voice their protests in line with the federal constitution and existing laws.
“The authorities are asked to act in a way that does not damage the democratic right of Malaysians and avoid the perception of intimidation of the three individuals,” it said.
Stop the clampdown on civil society activists
The Bersih 2.0 steering committee has called on the police to cease "the clampdown" on civil society activists.
In a statement, Bersih revealed that its vice-chairperson Beverly Joeman was one of those summoned to be probed by the police in regards to a recent rally.
"In this political crisis of backdoor government, the police should remain neutral and act professionally to protect the rights of the people instead of clamping down on peaceful demonstrations.
"A clampdown is a form of harassment and intimidation with the effect of instilling fear in the public and deterring citizens from coming out to protest against the Perikatan Nasional backdoor government," the statement reads.
Bersih has revealed a list of names slated to have appointments with the police tomorrow.
They are namely Marina Mahathir, Asheeq Ali, Amir Hariri, Asmalif Abdul Adam, Abbas Azmi, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, Amar Atan, Nalini, Aishah, Azam, Takim, Renny, Dobby Chew, and one Ustaz Ridzuan.
Investigation could lead to intimidation
Suhakam, in its statement, said the police investigation toward those who give dissenting opinions could lead to a form of intimidation and leave a chilling effect on the people.
"The people will avoid or prevent themselves from exercising their rights in giving out views as they are afraid of threats and legal action against them," Suhakam said.
It stressed that every Malaysian has a right to speak up and give views as guaranteed under Article 10 of the federal constitution.
"Intimidation and action against those who are not satisfied with what had happened surrounding the appointment of the prime minister could lead to the violation of this right," it said.
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