Malaysia’s Anti-PM protest leader Maria Abdullah could be re-arrested
‘If there is a need for us to re-arrest her, then we will do so,’ declares Inspector-General
By Farik Zolkepli
The investigation on Malaysia’s pro-democracy group Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah is ongoing despite her release from police custody, says Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
The Inspector-General of Police said police could have detained Maria for 28 days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) but they had obtained sufficient information from her.
“We made the decision to release her but the investigation is still going on.
“We will complete the investigation paper and hand it to the Attorney-General within a month,” he told a press conference after witnessing the handing over of 10 all-terrain Kawasaki KLX 250 motorcycles in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday, courtesy of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV).
The IGP also did not rule out the possibility that Maria might be re-arrested as she is also being investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
“That is a possibility for offences under the PAA.
“If there is a need for us to re-arrest her, then we will do so,” he said.
Maria was released on Monday after a 10-day detention. She was arrested on the eve of the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally.
On the raid on the Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) office in Petaling Jaya on Monday, Khalid said it was Maria’s former office and police received information that the organisation also received funds from various parties overseas, including Open Society Foundations (OSF).
“We were there to seize documents for evidence as part of our investigation,” he said.
Khalid also reminded every one to be more careful in dealing with foreign entities.
“I feel if we love our country and if we are patriotic, then we must be careful who we deal with, particularly organisations overseas.
“Other countries do not want to deal with OSF and Russia even banned OSF from operating in the country. In Malaysia, certain parties invite dodgy NGOs to cooperate with them,” he said, while not ruling out more arrests in the future.
On the handing over of the motorcycles, Khalid said the 10 scramblers would be used by General Operations Force personnel patrolling the east coast of Sabah.
“We will be able to cover more ground with these vehicles. They are more suited for the terrain that we are patrolling,” he said.
Also present at the event were FGV chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and other FGV officials.
