Cops identify 78 individuals linked to anti-Azam Baki protests
Police are attempting to identify organisers of last Saturday's 'Tangkap Azam Baki' protest and a pre-event that called for the MACC chairperson's resignation following his shareholding scandal.
Activist Adam Adli said this was based on questions asked by investigating officers at the Brickfields district police station for about two hours earlier today.
"Basically there are two investigations today....
Police have identified 78 individuals in connection with Saturday's 'Tangkap Azam Baki' protest and 28 others from a pre-event on Friday night that called for the MACC chairperson's resignation.
Brickfields district police chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor said the 78 individuals comprise 26 activists and 52 ordinary participants of Saturday's protest in Bangsar, as well as 16 activists and 12 ordinary participants present at Restoran Amjal.
"However, no arrests or seizures were carried out at the two gatherings," Amihizam said in a statement.
As of 8pm tonight, Amihizam said police have recorded statements from nine activists present during the protest, and 10 activists from Restoran Amjal.
"Police have also recorded witness statements under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"Photographs from the location, photographs of activists who gave speeches and videos of the gatherings were also recorded," said Amihizam who was seen on the scene during the protest engaging with rally participants.
"The police would like to inform that this gathering did not receive any permit or approval from the authorities and the organiser has failed to submit a notice to the police to hold a gathering.
"The public is not permitted to participate in any gatherings without a valid permit from the police," said Amihizam.
For the record, enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 has replaced a provision under the Police Act 1967 for mass gatherings to require a valid police permit.
Instead, organisers must notify the officer in charge of the police district (OCPD) within 10 days before the gathering date, with an expected response within five days.
"Basically there are two investigations today. The questions are almost similar.
"The investigation is to verify who are the organisers, to basically prove there were (Covid-19) standard operating procedures breached," Adam told Malaysiakini when met after the questioning.
"But I don't see much of an issue today. To us, it’s a normal procedure. Those were normal questions," said the PKR Youth member.
Adam was among eight individuals summoned for questioning in connection with both the protest in Bangsar and a separate pre-event at Restoran Pak Amjal, Kuala Lumpur.
Aside from Adam, the remaining seven individuals are DAP Youth chief Howard Lee, DAP member Mandeep Singh, Muda vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier, Muda secretary-general Amira Aisha, Amanah Youth election director Asmaaliff Abdul Adam, Amanah Youth vice-chief Zubair Rahim and IIUM lecturer Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin.
Adam's lawyer, Kamil Munim, told Malaysiakini that the individuals were simultaneously questioned on two separate investigation papers.
"Since most of them attended both the events, their statements were taken for both the investigation papers," he said.
Kamil said the individuals were questioned under Section 9(5) Peaceful Assembly Act 2012; Section 505(b) Penal Code; as well as Regulations 10 and 17 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations.
"There will be more people to be called," he added.
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