8 activists are detained briefly
Published on: Monday, September 17, 2018
Eight activists were arrested after they staged a Malaysia Day protest at Gaya Street here, Sunday. The eight were detained following a "Pandang ke Sabah" assembly at Lintasan Deasoka, near City Hall building that aimed to highlight issues concerning Sabah as well as returning the State's rights.The 9am rally was organised by several student groups including Gagasan Mahasiswa Merdeka and was joined by almost 100 participants.
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The eight arrested, including Sabah Amanah Youth chief Mohd Khairudin Daud, were taken for questioning at the Karamunsing police station and were released at 5pm after police completed recording their statements.City Hall Police Chief ACP Habibi Majinji said the individuals, aged 20 to 28 were detained at about 11.26am after they reportedly refused to cooperate with police. "After being warned several times to disperse, the group of about 25 members comprising men and women refused to comply although given sufficient time to deliver their speech for 15 minutes with a hailer."When police approached the group, a scuffle broke out between the group and police," he said, in a statement.
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Following this aggressive act, police were forced to use light force to detain the members. Habibi said no injuries reported and the case will be investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing police work and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for carrying out activity without permit.
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The individuals were released on police bail after recoding their statements.Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu denounced the arrests, saying such protests were a normal part of democracy.The Parti Amanah Negara president better known as Mat Sabu, who was in town for the national level Malaysia Day celebrations, said there was no problem as the protesters did not take up arms."I was also detained tens of times. It's normal, it's not a big issue," he said.Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who was also in town for the Malaysia Day celebrations, pledged his support for the eight activists."I just finished my townhall (meeting) with the Youths here. Am otw (on the way) to the police station to help them."In the new Malaysia, the right to peaceful protest should be safeguarded even if it's against the ruling-gov (government) interest," he tweeted.Sabah Bersih chairman Beverly Joeman said the peaceful assembly was aimed at raising awareness and to urge the government to look into and solve 10 issues affecting Sabah.These include education, poverty, native land, citizenship, housing, security, environment and job opportunities, she said.In the latest development, the eight arrested youths, including Sabah Amanah Youth chief Mohd Khairudin Daud, were all released at 5pm Sunday after police completed recording their statements.Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Sabah denied it was involved in the assembly, although its youth chief Khairudin Daud was among the eight arrested, Sunday. Its Chairman Haris bin Alimudin said Khairudin was there to listen and see what are the dire issues raised by those participating in the assembly held at Lintasan Deasoka. "I was informed about the arrest of Khairudin with seven others who attended the assembly that was organised in a peaceful manner, at about 11am."I did ask Khairudin on his purpose attending the assembly….he told me that he was there to listen to issues raised by the participants," he said.Haris said this to Daily Express after attending a Amanah Sabah Charity Hi-Tea and a closed door dialogue officiated by Amanah President Mohamad Sabu. Haris said Khairudin and the others were brought to the City Police for their statements to be taken and were released at 4pm.He said Khairudin was not detained but police recorded statements from him. Meanwhile, the Amanah charity Hi-Tea was organised to raise funds so that the party can set up its own office for Sabah branch in Inanam. "We are pleased that we have collected more than our target of RM30,000 and we thank those who bought the tables and their sincere donations towards expanding the party divisions and branches in the State. "So far, the party has 3,000 registered members and another 5,000 new members awaiting for their membership applications to be approved by the top party leadership. "At the moment, we only have two divisions namely at Batu Sapi and Sepanggar and more than 50 branches throughout the State," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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