Cops will fight judges’ remand refusal, says Zahid

(Bernama) – The police will appeal against the decision by a magistrate yesterday to deny remand on three individuals who were detained to facilitate investigations under the Sedition Act 1948, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said an appeal was a normal procedure when a court decision was not in the favour of the police.

“What I want to say is that I have no intention to interfere in the business of the police, this is a normal procedure when a decision does not side with the police, so an appeal has to be made before the police can frame the charges,” he told reporters after appearing in an interview on Bernama TV’s “Hello Malaysia” programme at Wisma Bernama here last night.

Ahmad Zahid said he always respected the decision of the courts and would not question any decision made and that police also had their own procedures in facing such a situation.

On Thursday, the trio — Batu Member of Parliament Tian Chua, PAS member Tamrin Ghafar and social activist Haris Ibrahim — were arrested by police in connection with their speeches at a forum held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, here, on May 13 which were alleged to be seditious.

They are being investigated under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Yesterday, the magistrate concerned rejected the police’s application to remand them and they were immediately released.