PETALING JAYA: Police today interrogated PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in connection with Wednesday night’s Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat rally at the Kelana Jaya stadium.
His lawyer, Eric Paulsen, told FMT he was being investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PPA) and the Sedition Act.
Paulsen said Nik Nazmi had been called in because he had failed to notify the police 10 days before the rally. The notice was dated Tuesday and sent on Wednesday.
“However, the announcement about the rally had been publicised in the media, including social media,” Paulsen pointed out.
Nik Nazmi is the state assemblyman for Seri Setia.
Yesterday Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Majid announced that police would investigate 33 Pakatan Rakyat leaders on suspicion of violating the PAA. Of the 33, 28 are also being investigated under the Sedition Act over their speeches at the rally.
The rally, attended by more than 100,000 people, was to protest alleged cheating by Barisan Nasional in the 13th general election.
Earlier on Wednesday, Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar declared that the rally would be illegal. Subsequently, however, he appeared to retract that statement, saying the organisers must comply with the PAA.
Those convicted under the PAA would be fined an amount not exceeding RM10,000.
The implication to newly elected Pakatan legislators is that those found guilty would lose their state assembly or parliament seats. A jail sentence of more than two years or a fine of more than RM2,000 is enough to disqualify a person from public office.
“This investigation is politically motivated and is a harassment as the police had facilitated other assemblies previously,” said Paulsen.
Nik Nazmi could not be reached for comments.
K Pragalath, Free Malaysia Today

Category: News