KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — PKR-backed group Jingga 13 plans to sue the police and other media outlets soon for linking it to an alleged plan to overthrow the government during New Year’s Eve celebrations next week.

Apart from seeking a retraction, the group also demanded an investigation against Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh under Section 505 of the Penal Code for allegedly making a false statement to incite fear.

“Jingga 13 assumes the allegation was just to distract the public about a ‘chain increase’ in price of goods which is obviously burdening the public, and Jingga 13 will continue its commitment to protest the ‘chain increase’,” the group deputy coordinator Amizudin Ahmat told reporters here.

“Jingga 13 would like to strictly state that every evil accusation linked to the group is a slander to tarnish our image and frighten the public with the issue of disorder, chaos, weapons and grenades.”

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Amizudin stressed that the group has never made any statement or given any direction with the intention to cause public disorder, or to use weapons and grenades to cause chaos and violence in order to topple Putrajaya.

The group had earlier lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here against Amar for naming Jingga 13, together with three other non-governmental organisations (NGO), as those allegedly planning to ‘cause trouble’ on December 31.

Other NGOs named were anti-price hike movement Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), youth group Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), and student movement Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM).

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The group’s lawyer, Latheefa Koya, said that the defamation suit against the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and Umno-friendly channel TV3 and Malay daily Utusan Malaysia will be filed as soon as possible.

Latheefa also wanted Amar to be investigated under Section 505, under which an individual can be punished with two years’ imprisonment or a fine or both, for publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report causing fear or alarm to the public.

On Friday, SMM chairman Mohamed Bukhairy Sofian had reportedly said that its planned gathering at Dataran Merdeka on New Year’s Eve is to protest against the rising cost of living, and not to overthrow the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Turun chairman Azan Safar had also clarified last week that the price hike protest is not linked to another planned gathering, which allegedly aims to oust the government.

On Christmas Eve, police arrested the leader of an anti-price hike movement over a planned rally at Dataran Merdeka on December 31 that allegedly aimed to overthrow the government.

On Thursday, the owner of a Facebook page was also picked up by the police for allegedly inciting the public to participate in demonstrations on December 31, to topple the government.

The mass protest was planned amid the various increases in the prices of goods and services, some of which have already taken place a few months ago, like the cutting of fuel and sugar subsidies, while other hikes are scheduled for next year, including electricity tariffs, assessment rates for KL properties, public transport charges and toll rates for major highways.