You’re paid to probe crime, not political intrigue in Bersih 4, Selangor MB tells cops

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — The police should keep their focus on addressing the rising crime in the country instead of investigating those who participated in the Bersih 4 rally last weekend, Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali said today.

Azmin who is also PKR deputy president added that the police were wasting the people’s time and money by investigating peaceful rallies, The Malaysian Insider reported.

“The people pay taxes to the government so that the government and the police take care of their interests and safety. The people’s money should not be used for the political interest of any quarters,” Azmin was quoted saying.

“The police have to focus on the rising crime and not pressure those who gathered peacefully, and in accordance with the constitution.” The police have called up seven individuals from electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 which organised the August 29 and 30 rally to its federal headquarters in Bukit Aman for questioning.

Those called up for questioning included chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and six others and they were investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code, which deals with attempts to commit an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

They are also being investigated under Section 141 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly, which will be read together with Section 120 involving the concealing of an intention to commit an offence that is punishable with imprisonment.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has also added Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the list of people to be questioned, over the former prime minister’s allegedly defamatory allegations against Umno during the rally.

Dr Mahathir is currently abroad but is expected to return next Wednesday.

According to social research firm Politweet, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur for the overnight Bersih 4 rally, held to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his alleged involvement in corruption accusations facing debt-riddled state investor 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).