[UPDATED] Pakatan Youth chief among eight individuals probed by police over #TangkapAzamBaki rally

KUALA LUMPUR – Eight individuals, who were involved in Saturday’s #TangkapAzamBaki rally and the ceramah at Restoran Amjal last Friday, are being investigated under several laws, including the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). 

Lawyer Kamil Munim told the press waiting outside Brickfields district police headquarters that among those questioned today are Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Howard Lee, PKR member Adam Adli, Muda’s Amira Aisya (secretary-general) and Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier (vice-president), Pejuang Youth chief Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin, Amanah Youth vice-chief Zubair Rahim, the wing’s strategic director Asmaalif Abdul Adam, and DAP member Mandeep Singh.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (related to statements conducing to public mischief), Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, as well as Regulation 9, 10, and 17 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

“I believe that about eight more people will be called in regarding the same events, but we will have to wait for further confirmation from the police.”

Meanwhile, Lee said the efforts to “silence us” are very impressive and hopes the same will be applied to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s debacle.

“We asked for investigations into corrupt practises happening in the country, but instead, we are being investigated. 

“The details presented to us and the overall effort put forth by authorities in an attempt to silence are very impressive. Hopefully, the same dedication will be applied to investigating Azam Baki.”

However, Thanussha said the investigation on the eight individuals is a waste of time and resources.

She also pointed out the apparent lack of effort in investigating Azam.

“When I was questioned, I was also shown photos the police had taken of people present at Restaurant Amjal that night, which means there were officers assigned to monitor the crowd. 

“If only authorities are willing to put the same efforts into investigating Azam Baki. Instead, the people are being questioned for asking that he be subject to a transparent inquiry.”

Her comments were backed by Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya, who reiterated the call for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry on Azam’s case.

She added that the party will be providing free legal services to members of the public if they are called in by the police over their involvement in the rally last Saturday. – The Vibes, January 24, 2022