Police seek several men for questioning over language protest

(The Star) – Police want to question PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa along with several MPs and assemblymen who were allegedly involved in the illegal assembly at Jalan Mahameru near Istana Negara.

According to Kuala Lumpur police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman none of the men have come forward to aid investigations so far.

“At the moment, we have yet to take any of their statements,” he said.

On Saturday, riot police fired tear gas at thousands of people who tried to march towards Istana Negara to protest against the policy of using English to teach Science and Mathematics.

Police also want to question Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution, Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli and Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar along with Gapena’s Datuk A Samad Said, Datuk Hassan Ahmad and Dr Shaharil Md Zain over their alleged involvement in the illegal gathering.

DCP Muhammad Sabtu said that, so far, two men had been questioned under Section 353 of the Penal Code for attacking and using violence on a police officer and three others had been questioned under Section 27 of the Police Act for allegedly taking part in an illegal assembly.

“However, the five men have been released on bail,” he said.

The five questioned were among the 124 arrested at the protest march on Saturday. All were released after their details were taken.