IGP defends #KitaLawan rally arrests, won't allow 'freedom to incite'

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar defended today the widening dragnet over the #KitaLawan rally, saying that the police will not tolerate those who disrespected the country’s rule of law.

The Inspector-General of Police stressed that while the police “respected” the freedom of expression and speech, there will be no “compromise” against those who caused public unrest.

“Just because the court decision does not side with some groups it does not give them the freedom to incite.

“The police respect the freedom of speech in the Federal Constitution but we will not allow the freedom to incite, to disrespect the system in the Federal Constitution,” he told reporters at a news conference here.

Although the IGP did not specify which court case he was referring to, he is likely referring to the Federal Court’s sentencing of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to jail for sodomy back in February.

“That we cannot compromise.

“Any actions or activities which is seditious in nature we will take action,” Khalid added.

When asked why police arrested Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad at 3.20AM this morning, the IGP said “you don’t take to ask. The police can arrest anytime.”

The PAS leader is the latest opposition figure to be arrested over the #KitaLawan rally.

It is still unclear what the reason for the arrest is, with fellow PAS central working committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad suggesting on Facebook that the arrest was for sedition.

The police have been arresting opposition leaders in an ever widening dragnet over the #KitaLawan rallies held to pressure for the release of jailed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday, PKR member Fariz Musa was arrested for sedition shortly after demonstrators who took part in the #KitaLawan rally in the city dispersed in peace.

Two of the party’s three vice-presidents, Rafizi Ramli and Chua Tian Chang have also been taken into police custody, as was PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, who was picked up from Penang and sent to Bukit Aman early yesterday morning.

Human rights lawyers have criticised the police for the arrests, calling the action a preemptive strike to prevent the rally from taking place.

Sedition probes have also been initiated against political cartoonist Zunar, Penang state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin, Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S. Arutchelvan, civil liberties lawyers Eric Paulsen and Michelle Yesudas.