After Jingga 13, SAMM mulls RM100m suit against cops
(MM) – Youth movement Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) announced today plans to sue a senior police officer for linking it with a plot to topple Putrajaya on December 31.
The group urged Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh (picture, centre) to retract his accusation or risk a RM100 million defamation suit.
“He has to reveal his sources, and reveal ‘grade A’ evidence if available. I will take legal action against Amar and every evil media which becomes the tongue continuing the slander,” SAMM president Badrul Hisham Shaharin told Malay daily Sinar Harian here.
“On Monday, SAMM and I will send a legal notice to Amar and other media involved. I will start a RM100 million suit process.”
Earlier today, PKR-backed group Jingga 13 also announced plans to sue the police and other media outlets soon for the same allegation.
Apart from seeking a retraction, the group also demanded an investigation against Amar under Section 505 of the Penal Code for allegedly making a false statement to incite fear.
Under section 505, an individual can be punished with two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both, for publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report causing fear or alarm to the public.
The group had earlier lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here against Amar for naming Jingga 13, together with three other non-governmental organisations (NGO), as those allegedly planning to ‘cause trouble’ on December 31.
Other NGOs named were SAMM, anti-price hike movement Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), and student movement Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM).
On Friday, SMM chairman Mohamed Bukhairy Sofian had reportedly said that its planned gathering at Dataran Merdeka on New Year’s Eve is to protest against the rising cost of living, and not to overthrow the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
Turun chairman Azan Safar had also clarified last week that the price hike protest is not linked to another planned gathering, which allegedly aims to oust the government.
On Christmas Eve, police arrested the leader of an anti-price hike movement over a planned rally at Dataran Merdeka on December 31 that allegedly aimed to overthrow the government.
On Thursday, the owner of a Facebook page was also picked up by the police for allegedly inciting the public to participate in demonstrations on December 31, to topple the government.
The mass protest was planned amid the various increases in the prices of goods and services, some of which have already taken place a few months ago, like the cutting of fuel and sugar subsidies, while other hikes are scheduled for next year, including electricity tariffs, assessment rates for KL properties, public transport charges and toll rates for major highways.
