Najib and IGP must drop sedition probe on Kelana Jaya rally speakers
I refer to the statement by Selangor CPO today that 28 Pakatan leaders who spoke at the Kelana Jaya rally on 8th May will be probed for sedition.
N. Surendran
This is an unlawful, undemocratic and politically motivated threat by the Selangor CPO/IGP against Pakatan Rakyat leaders. This illegal police investigation is clearly intended to divert attention from the massive electoral fraud and irregularities that are being highlighted by Pakatan Rakyat. The police are blatantly harassing the opposition for exposing electoral fraud, instead of investigating the BN’s election wrongdoing and offences. Clearly, the Selangor CPO and the IGP are being used by Najib and the BN government to silence complaints of election fraud.
It is shocking that the police are once again resorting to use of the antiquated and undemocratic Sedition Act 1948. In July 2012 Najib had promised to the Malaysian public that the Sedition Act would be repealed; Najib has lied and misled the rakyat by failing to do so. Worse, Najib continues to use this oppessive law to curb freedom of expression and democratic dissent. Is this the ‘ national reconciliation ‘ promised by Najib on the 6th of May?
The police must act professionally and impartially in carrying out their duties. Why are the police wasting public resources monitoring opposition rally speeches? The police should be focusing on crime prevention and traffic control. During yesterday’s rally, traffic police failed to assist the public who attended the rally. Was this done upon the BN government’s instructions?
Despite sweet promises of democratisation in the run-up to GE-13, Najib and the BN continue to use oppressive laws and breach fundamental liberties. The BN is beyond help, and beyond reform.
We demand that the IGP and BN government immediately drop the sedition probe upon the rally speakers. We further demand that the IGP to reveal the full extent of the BN government’s involvement in ordering the sedition probe. The Selangor CPO must also be personally held accountable for abuse of power in ordering the sedition probe. Those who undermine democracy must understand that they will eventually be brought to justice.
