PSM: ‘Communist’ bogeyman theory an excuse to use ISA
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
(The Malaysian Insider) — Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has accused the government of falsely linking the party with attempting to revive communism, saying that it would be an excuse for the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The police said yesterday they were probing attempts by Bersih activists for reviving communism, and are investigating 30 PSM members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar, for “waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”
Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said remand orders would be applied to detain the 30 activists under section 122 of the Penal Code.
“The desperate attempts by the police to bring back the ‘communist’ bogey from the Cold War is an attempt by Umno-BN to stay in power by frightening people and thus justifying the use of the ISA,” PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan told reporters today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday that he could not rule out using the ISA on the July 9 Bersih rally, but maintained that other laws will be used for now.
Arutchelvan slammed the police for the arrests, saying that it was a prelude for mass arrests over the upcoming rally.
The activist explained that the 30 PSM members were originally arrested on Saturday in Penang on charges of taking part in an illegal assembly, sedition as well as printing seditious material under the Printing Press and Publications Act (PPPA).
“There was a commotion when those arrested said in their 112 statement that they would only speak in court. The police were angry and demanded those arrested give a second statement.
“After that they went to our truck and found some red T-shirts with pictures of Rashid Maidin… then the 30 were slapped with an additional charge, 122 of the Penal Code,” said Arutchelvan.
“We’ve been accused of waging war against the King because of having these T-shirts,” he added.
