Ambiga may be arrested for threatening democracy, IGP Khalid says
(Malay Mail Online) – The police are considering arresting prominent rights activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan for allegedly threatening to depose Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak through undemocratic means, inspector-general of police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.
Khalid said they are investigating the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) chief for allegedly calling on the public to take to the streets to topple Najib, which he described as detrimental to Malaysia’s parliamentary democratic system.
“You cannot call for people to take the streets to oust the prime minister, that is wrong,” he said on the sidelines of a government event here.
“We will not allow that,” Khalid said, adding that Ambiga will be investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code which deals with the offence of undermining parliamentary democracy.
The country’s top cop noted that he had asked Ambiga to deny the claim after she allegedly made the statement on Twitter, and that “she did not deny” it.
The police will also be calling in the reporter who quoted Ambiga for questioning, the IGP said.
Contacted separately today, lawyer Latheefa Koya confirmed that the police will interview Ambiga at 3pm tomorrow at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.
Latheefa who is representing Ambiga said her client is being investigated in relation to her remarks carried in a Malay Mail Online report titled “Ambiga: Get ready for street protests again unless MPs act to suspend Najib”.
It is unclear, however, as to which part of her statement was deemed to have breached the law.
But Khalid pointed out that it was pivotal to differentiate between a peaceful rally and a mass demonstration to overthrow the prime minister, which he claimed was what Ambiga had in mind.
The police chief said his men will have no qualms allowing rights groups like Bersih 2.0 or the Human Rights Society of Malaysia (HAKAM) — which Ambiga currently chairs — to hold street protests provided that they are done within the confines of the law.
“But when you ask people to go to the streets and topple the prime minister, this we will not allow. We will have to take action,” he said.
At a news conference two days ago, Ambiga claimed the public was frustrated with the Najib administration’s handling of the country’s finances and the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, and may express their discontent by taking to the streets.
The former Malaysian Bar president had also mooted what she called a “national government” as a temporary caretaker administration to form a non-partisan Cabinet by pressuring MPs to call for an emergency Parliamentary session and select new ministers capable of leading Malaysia for the next 18 months.
HAKAM, along with Bersih 2.0, announced two days ago that they will be holding a rally on August 29 and 30 in three cities across the country to demand Najib’s resignation.
