Khalid slams police for roughing up Jenice, other Perak dissenters

(Suara Keadilan) – Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has lashed out at the police for using excessive force against a group of 16, including Teratai assemblywoman Jenice Lee, for holding a candlelight vigil to protest the death of democracy in Perak.

“We believe that the arrest last Thursday should not have taken place as YB Jenice and the others were gathering peacefully merely to express their expression and, there was no indication that the gatherings would have caused public disorder,” said Khalid.

Khalid is the latest in a long line of civil society and Pakatan Rakyat leaders to take umbrage at the high-handed police action.

Of late, under the instruction of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, the police have siezed on every opportunity to detain dissenters, especially those who condemned Prime Minister Najib’s illegal power grab of the Perak state government. The northwestern state has been plunged into political turmoil since the February coup d’etat.

Jenice, who was arrested twice last week, was even roughed up and pushed by the police, who spared no one in their bid to stamp their authority.

Said Khalid: “The state condemns any violation against the freedom of expression and right to assembly, fundamental rights which are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. We call on the police to respect and protect these rights.”

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Suara Keadilan appends below the full text of the statement issued by Khalid Ibrahim:

SHAH ALAM: Following the arrests and remand of Teratai assemblyman YB Jenice Lee and 15 others last Thursday, the Selangor Government question the police continued use of excessive force against those who participating in peaceful gatherings and assemblies.

We believe that the arrest last Thursday should not have taken place as YB Jenice and the others were gathering peacefully merely to express their expression and, there was no indication that the gatherings would have caused public disorder.

The state also regrets the recent developments where a series of arrest on civilians, lawyers, human rights activists and politicians. According to SUARAM just this month, a total of 146 arrests have been made – mainly against those involved in peaceful gatherings like candlelight vigils. To make matters worse, the police had even went to the extent of raiding DAP headquarters. This is indeed an alarming development a democratic country.

The state condemns any violation against the freedom of expression and right to assembly, fundamental rights which are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. We call on the police to respect and protect these rights.

Thank you.

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim
Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor