By Melissa Chi June 26, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — DAP’s Tony Pua hit out today against the arrests of 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, saying the police were out to “create an atmosphere of intimidation” ahead of the Bersih rally planned for July 9.
DAP and their allies in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) support the rally calling for free and fair elections.
“I think it is completely ridiculous. Anyone out there conducting any political act is immediately arrested despite the fact that they are not inciting violence, not holding arms, not doing anything of that sort that will threaten the security of the people around them.
“The police are clearly trying to create an atmosphere of intimidation to frighten anybody who has any thought of turning up for the Bersih rally or joining the action around the country to promote free and fair elections,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
The first rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the capital’s streets before they were dispersed by police with tear gas and water cannons.
Malay rights group Perkasa has threatened a counter rally if Bersih continues with its plans while Umno Youth said it would hold a rally in support of the Election Commission, which is the subject of Bersih’s demands.
PAS has asked for one million members to take to the streets on July 9 to support Bersih, which has also organised rallies in several cities around the world.
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said everything that the police had done to create obstacles for the highly-anticipated rally is working in their favour.
“They are creating more publicity for the rally. The people who don’t know about this are now thinking about joining the rally. The fact that police are taking harsh action and giving repeated warnings to the public over participating land a greater determination of the people who may be interested to voice their support and join the rally,” he said.
The police said earlier today they are probing an alleged attempt by some Bersih activists to revive communism, and are investigating 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar for “waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong.”
Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar was quoted by Astro Awani as saying today that remand orders would be exercised to detain the 30 activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code.
Section 122 of the Penal Code states: “Whoever collects or attempts to collect men, arms or ammunition, or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any of the Rulers or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or abets the waging or the preparation of such war, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
It is understood that the 30 activists were detained at the Sungai Dua toll plaza near Kepala Batas in Penang while on their way to a gathering in support of the Bersih rally planned for July 9.
The government has said it will not issue permits for Bersih’s planned rally nor to the counter groups.