PUTRAJAYA, Sept 23 — Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar refuted today allegations of double standards in the arrest and release of Mohd Ali Baharom, alleged to have threatened the life of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
The Inspector-General of Police insisted that the police had treated the provocative former soldier better known as Ali Tinju the same way they did Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi who turned himself in for an inquiry over his questionable tweet on former PAS spiritual leader Datuk Haron Din who died recently.
“We have already arrested Ali Tinju. He is currently free on bail now. Same like Jeff Ooi. There is no double standard.
“He had surrendered himself and was investigated and has been released after,” Khalid told a news conference here, referring to Mohd Ali.
The police chief previously said the former soldier is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code pertaining to criminal intimidation.
Mohd Ali had reportedly said he would “ambush” Chin in the near future, and that “she won’t feel peace” even with bodyguards, in response to her plan to hold a Bersih 5 street demonstration in November to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The IGP also reminded those seeking to hold any public rally to follow regulations and apply for a permit beforehand, under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA), to enable the police to prepare and facilitate the demonstration.
He also reiterated that any rally calling for the ouster of national leaders would not be allowed under any circumstance.
“Any rally to oust the country’s leaders will not be permitted at all,” he said.
