C4 critical of arrest of its man

An executive with the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) is being investigated for sedition, making statements leading to public mischief and the misuse of Internet services after being picked up at his home in Penang last night.

A C4 statement said police could have instead issued a notice requesting K. Sudhagaran Stanley to be present at a police station to have his statement recorded.

“The arrest, especially in the late hours of the night (10pm), is chilling and clearly aimed at instilling fear and silencing voices that are critical of the administration of this country,” said the NGO.

K. Sudhagaran Stanley of C4

Sudhagaran was nabbed over a Facebook posting on the defacing of a mural in Shah Alam which featured the portraits of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and other VIPs and also comments about the movement control order.

C4 is of the view that heightened police investigations on human rights and anti-corruption advocates for expressing dissent in relation to matters concerning public interest have become a cause of great concern.

It also said it was disturbed by the narrowing of the space to express opinions and disagreement under the Perikatan Nasional government.

“While the government has a right to disagree and object to many such comments, it will place itself in higher stead if it embraces the importance of critical thinking while balancing and safeguarding the right to freedom of expression and promoting a robust civil society,” it said.