Police deny Falun Gong arrests ahead of Xi's visit was order from above

Summary

• KL police chief Rusdi Isa denies allegation that they were ordered to detain Falun Gong followers ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit last month.

• He stresses the group is banned in Malaysia and actions were taken because they were conducting activities illegally.

• Rusdi says he has ordered the city CID chief to take strong action against Falun Gong.

Police have refuted allegations they were ordered to arrest over 70 Falun Gong followers ahead of China’s President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia last month.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said action was taken against the group because it was conducting activities illegally.

“It is an illegal organisation. When a group is illegal, it means they are not allowed to conduct any activity, and action can be taken against them under the Societies Act.

“Among the actions that can be taken include arrest, and we can also remand them,” he told a press conference at the city police headquarters earlier today.

Rusdi was asked to comment on the arrests of 76 Falun Gong followers in Cheras on April 13, just two days before Xi’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur.

Several detainees interviewed by Malaysiakini claimed they were only released after Xi had concluded his three-day official visit and left the country.

Some were allegedly kept in lock-up for more than 10 days.

They claimed the police operation was carried out to silence dissidents of the Chinese Communist Party leader.

‘According to law’

Rusdi stressed that all police actions in the case were in line with the country’s laws, and warned against accusations that police did this “under orders”.

“The arrests were carried out according to due process.

“Some were detained for two days, some three days. It must be remembered that in this case, the number of people arrested was not one or two; there were many of them.

“So, when the number is big, police have to collect statements from all of them, so it takes time,” he said.

According to the police chief, Falun Gong is not new to the country.

Rusdi said he had dealt with the group since he served as the city’s Criminal Investigation Department chief eight years ago.

“They always organise protests at many locations, including near embassies.

“Sometimes we would advise them. Maybe back then they were not banned yet, but as they are illegal now, they are not allowed to do any activity either openly or even behind closed doors.”

Rusdi said he has also ordered the Kuala Lumpur CID chief to take strong action against the group.

This is so the followers understand their group is banned in Malaysia and not allowed to conduct any activity here, he added.

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