After Arresting Three Activists, Police Declares #KitaLawan Rally To Free Anwar As Illegal

Penang PAS deputy commissioner Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said Mohamad Sabu known popularly as Mat Sabu was detained by about 10 armed and masked policemen as at the Seven Star restaurant in Sungai Dua on the mainland at 12.20am on 28 March (Saturday).

"He was quickly picked up by the police when he arrived. I believe they are from Bukit Aman... maybe they had been watching him," says Datuk Dr Mujahid.

"I think they are taking him to Bukit Aman. I am not sure what this is about. It could be over the anti-GST rally (#KitaLawan rally) in Kuala Lumpur. Maybe the police are looking at those who they think are instigating the people, and taking measures of precaution," he said.

themalaysianinsider.com

On 29 March, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu was released from police custody. Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC Zainuddin Ahmad confirmed the matter and informed that Mat Sabu was released at 11pm.

astroawani.com

On 29 March (Sunday) , Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua was re-arrested in connection to the #KitaLawan rally while the party's secretary-general Rafizi Ramli was arrested at his service centre in Kuala Lumpur, under the Sedition Act 1948, in connection with the #KitaLawan rally. Rafizi's detention was allegedly linked to rallying supporters to gather at the anti-government #KitaLawan rally.

astroawani.com

Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC Zainuddin Ahmad confirmed that Tian Chua was released at noon.

themalaysianinsider.com

The PAS lawmaker said 10 policemen came to his house at 3.20am on 29 March (Sunday) to arrest him. “I think it was an unwise action, a waste of manpower and time. If they called me and I did not go, then their action is justified.

“I was not arrested under the Sedition Act, it was for illegal assembly. It is good for police to take action every second, every time, but don’t act beyond what is necessary, we are not criminals, robbers or killers. Just call and we will come. I believe many others will do the same.”

On the possibility of future arrests of other opposition leaders and activists, Khalid said, “It seems like the IGP has an anti-opposition attitude… considering those who are said to cause problems are from the opposition. He doesn’t care about 1MDB, or misconduct, corruption and others. He just wants to look after the interest of Barisan Nasional. It seems like that,” he said.

themalaysianinsider.com

Bernama reported that according to Kuala CID chief SAC Zainuddin Ahmad, Khalid was arrested under Section 143 of the Penal Code.

astroawani.com

The much-anticipated #KitaLawan rally on 28 March (Saturday) saw a lower turnout of 300 compared to the previous protest, possibly due to the arrests of several high-profile opposition politicians and activists. Many demonstrators dressed in black T-shirts and carrying placards, marched peacefully alongside moving vehicles and other pedestrians from three assembly points in the city: Masjid Jamek, Dataran Merdeka and outside the PAS headquarters on Jalan Raja Laut. Chanting “Kita lawan” (We fight) and “Reformasi”, they converged at the Jalan Parlimen-Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman intersection first before marching towards the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

themalaymailonline.com

Among Opposition leaders and activists present are PAS’ Khalid Samad, PKR Youth vice chief Dr Afif Bahardin, National Laureate Datuk A Samad Said, Bersih Chairman Maria Chin Abdullah, Jingga 13 leader Fariz Musa and activist Mandeep Singh.

therakyatpost.com

A notable speech was by PKR supreme council member Sim Tze Zim, who said many gathered to demand the resignation of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar. “Up to now they have arrested 93 leaders, activists and critics of the government but today we show that we are not afraid. You can arrest 90, 100, 100,000 but another 100,000 will rise to fight on. We must fight until the IGP is sacked,” he told the crowd.

themalaymailonline.com

After the speeches, the protestors then marched towards the Dang Wangi district police headquarters where they believed Rafizi and Chua are being held. They shouted “down with the IGP” and “free the detainees” in front of the police headquarters’ entrance. Several police officers formed a human barricade outside as a preventive measure but nothing untoward took place.

themalaymailonline.com

Protesters then marched towards KLCC and were allowed in the area for 45 minutes by police, however they were not allowed to cross the barricades placed opposite KLCC to prevent KitaLawan rally participants from crashing the dinner wedding reception of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s daughter. The police were inaction, except in trying to coordinate traffic, appeared to embolden the protesters. Protestors dispersed shortly before 7pm without further incident.

therakyatpost.com

Last night, Police and City Hall (DBKL) officials had tried to break up the #KitaLawan gathering first at 9.45pm and at 12.15am again. The protesters had been warned to vacate Dataran Merdeka by midnight according to the #KitaLawan secretariat, “They used the word ‘vacate’ and that the grace period was until midnight. This is a threat. The youth are merely exercising their right to assemble peacefully as guaranteed by the constitution,” it said.

themalaysianinsider.com

The arrested includes Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing.

“They were assaulted, beaten before being pulled into a police car. Plain-clothed police acted forcefully and punched those there who tried to calm the situation at the sit-in protest,” alleged the secretariat.

themalaymailonline.com

Representing lawyer for the six, Michelle Yesudas said the remand was postponed to 2pm.
“I have not been able to speak to them yet as their phones were switched off, but they have been taken to the Jinjang lock-up,” she added they are arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstruction of justice.

therakyatpost.com

The protest was a run-up to this Saturday’s #KitaLawan rally, organisers of the protest had planned a series of sit-ins and other events at Dataran Merdeka, including a campaign calling for the sacking of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar, which began yesterday.

freemalaysiatoday.com

A dramatic series of tweets and messages gave the public “live” reports of what was happening on the scene. A team of 6 policemen arrived outside the home of Batu MP Chua Tian Chang just before midnight in an attempt to arrest him, PKR’s communications director Fahmi Fadzil said.

Chua later tweeted to say that PKR legal bureau chief Sivarasa Rasiah was able to arrive at his home, and was speaking to the team of between six to eight policemen to determine their reason for wanting to arrest the MP. Sivarasa, who is Subang MP, asked the police why it was necessary to descend on Chua’s home at midnight midnight to arrest him. At 12.47am, they left after getting the assurance that Chua will report to IPD Dang Wangi at 11am today to have his statement recorded.

themalaymailonline.com

The politician will be the 11th person held for questioning for the protest rally if he is arrested.

themalaysianinsider.com

Last Friday on 14 March 2015, student activist Adam Adli and Bersih 2.0 secretariat staff Mandeep Singh were detained during the weekly #KitaLawan rally in front of the Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. The arrest is Adam’s second over the rallies.

themalaymailonline.com

The two men were apprehended after the rally came to a close on Saturday evening and brought to the Jinjang central lockup. City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Zainuddin Ahmad confirmed the arrest and said that the two men were detained under Section 143 of the Penal Code for illegal gathering.

On 15 March 2015, student activist Adam Adli and Bersih 2.0 secretariat member Mandeep Singh would be remanded until Tuesday for further investigations said Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainol Samah.

On 14 March 2015, at 11am flanked by supporters, Teo Kok Seong who is also the Rasah Member of Parliament told reporters outside the Dangi Wangi police station that he had initially made an appointment to meet with investigators on Monday or Tuesday, but was later told to turn himself in today. Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainol Samah confirmed the arrest. Teo’s lawyer, Wong Kah Woh told The Star that Teo had been arrested under Section 143 of the Penal Code and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.

On 15 March 2015, DAP Socialist Youth chief Teo Kok Seong, who was detained by police, was released on police bail on Sunday.

S Jayathas, Subang branch PKR member is said to be the 10th individual arrested over the March 7 rally. His lawyer Sivamalar, said that the PKR deputy chairman for the Human Rights and Legal Bureau, was detained at the Dang Wangi police headquarters at about 3pm. The police promised to release him tonight as he is undergoing treatment for a kidney problem. Jayathas had earlier made an appointment with the police at 2.30pm today but found himself arrested during the interview.

themalaysianinsider.com

On 17 March 2015, the police will investigate Nurul Nuha Anwar, the second daughter of jailed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR leader S. Jayathas over their involvement in the #KitaLawan rally, a day after Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar was arrested for sedition over her speech in Parliament.

themalaymailonline.com

Nurul Nuha leads the March2Freedom campaign that is fighting for the release of her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was jailed five years after being found guilty of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at 2008.

themalaysianinsider.com

According to PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil told Malay Mail Online “It is confirmed the police are looking for Nurul Nuha for her to give her statement on Section 143 of the Penal Code… for being a member of an illegal assembly. “But they have not confirmed when they will be calling her to appear to give her statement.”

themalaymailonline.com

Police have detained PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli this evening over last weekend's rally in Kuala Lumpur, just after he lodged a report against the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd's debts.

themalaysianinsider.com

PKR, in a statement this evening, said Rafizi was arrested at 7pm at the Dang Wangi police headquarters under Section 143 of the Penal Code and Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act. The party said the detention was likely to be over his participation in the #KitaLawan rally from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to KLCC on March 7.

themalaysianinsider.com

He is the fourth person detained over Saturday’s rally after Kelana Jaya PKR youth chief Saifullah Zulkifli, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Jingga 13 head coordinator Fariz Musa.

Police arrested PKR’s Jingga 13 head coordinator Fariz Musa this morning to facilitate investigations over his involvement in the weekly #KitaLawan anti-government rallies.

Fariz was called to have his statement recorded at Dang Wangi police headquarters at 11.45am on 10 March 2015.

nst.com.my

Fariz, 45, is being questioned under Section 143 of the Penal Code, but Melissa added that she was informed that he was also being held under Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which the lawyer said was unconstitutional.

"I do not know why the police are still using that act when the court had already decided that the Peaceful Assembly Act cannot be used against demonstrations," she said, referring to the Court of Appeal judgment last year that the act could not be used to criminalise peaceful demonstrations.

themalaysianinsider.com

A total of 15 Pakatan Rakyat supporters, including a state Assemblyman and two Parliamentary members opted to shave their heads as a symbolic demand for the release of Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The protest was held in front of the main gates of the parliament and were joined by MPs from the opposition. The protest also aims to gather support for the release of Anwar, and the petition will handed over to the Yang Di Pertuan Agong (YDPA) Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah.

astroawani.com

Lawmakers who lose their hair include Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong, Pasir Puteh MP Nik Maizan Nik Mohamad and Machang Bubok assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon. Among opposition supporters who joined the protest included a 70-year-old woman and a number of PKR Youth members.

Nik Maizan said he shaved his head to protest against the "flawed" judicial system. "The government has failed in ensuring justice. The judgment passed on Anwar was wrong and politically motivated," the PAS lawmaker said.

"We're doing this is to inform the world that the Opposition Leader should be independent and should also be allowed in Parliament. He should not be restricted to join the Parliament because he is still an MP and a legitimate Oppostion Leader," PKR chief whip Datuk Johari Abdul when met at Parliament during the protest.

"I shave it for Anwar's release as well as a call to 'clean' Sabah from illegal immigrants," Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong said, adding that he felt liberated with his new bald image.

astroawani.com

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was arrested yesterday to facilitate investigations over the “#KitaLawan” rally held in the city centre Saturday afternoon.

theborneopost.com

Dang Wangi OCPD, ACP Zainol Samah said Nik Nazmi was arrested after giving a statement at Dang Wangi police station at 10am. "He was detained under Section 143 of the Penal Code for further investigations over the rally," Zainol said when contacted by BERNAMA.

bernama.com

Melissa Sasidaran who had accompanied the Seri Setia assemblyman to the Dang Wangi police station here earlier this morning to have his statement recorded, said the officers are holding her client for suspected unlawful assembly under the penal code.

themalaymailonline.com

Azmin Ali, deputy president of PKR, has strongly condemned the police action in arresting and holding in remand the party’s Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Saifullah Zulkifli of PAS over the mass public protest rally held in central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

He said the police’s action was a violation of the rule of law, which holds that duly elected lawmakers such as Nik Nazmi be free of harassment by the powers that be. Azmin, who is Selangor’s menteri besar, said his arrest was unacceptable, unlawful and unconstitutional, pointed out that Saturday’s rally was orderly and peaceful.

freemalaysiatoday.com

Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC Zainuddin Ahmad when contacted by theSun today, said Nik Nazmi's remand ends on Wednesday. This is Nik Nazmi's second arrest for participation in an unlawful assembly.

thesundaily.my

Several thousand people marched through Kuala Lumpur today to demand the release of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed last month for five years on sodomy charges.

Chanting “Free Anwar!” and “Reformasi” (Reform), the demonstrators, led by members of Anwar’s family, staged a short march from a busy shopping district toward the capital’s Petronas Towers skyscrapers.

themalaymailonline.com

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad says turnout for the rally today is a "conservative estimate" of 10,000 people. He thanks police for their cooperation. He also says the Umno division chiefs' meeting tomorrow with Najib will likely discuss today's rally, as people are fed up with his "weakness". "He is the worst PM... If we are consistent in speaking up, I am sure the time will come when Najib will step down and the people will win." Music group The Bangsat begins entertaining the crowd.

themalaysianinsider.com

Although this number is far from the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets during the 1998 Reformasi demonstrations to protest against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sacking from the federal government and in Bersih’s 2012 rally calling for free and fair elections, observers said today's turnout was telling as it managed to attract younger Malaysians to take part.

themalaysianinsider.com

The main agenda for the rally was undoubtedly solidarity for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently being held in Sungai Buloh Prison after being convicted of sodomy, but demonstrators also claimed to fight against other causes, including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as the overall political landscape in Malaysia.

People began to throng the streets of Kuala Lumpur from 3pm. Despite the slight rain, they marched from Central Market towards Masjid Jamek and continued to Sogo KL before ending up at KLCC. Throughout the march, colourful banners and placards were carried, with most bearing the words "Reformasi" and "KitaLawan". Several groups within the crowd also chanted "Reformasi! Reformasi!" and sang a so-called anthem for reformation.

astroawani.com

Amid the chants of 'Reformasi' and 'Undur Najib'‎ at today's #KitaLawan rally outside Sogo in Kuala Lumpur, one tiny, elderly woman could be seen shuffling among the crowd, angrily smacking the banners held up within her reach. "Stop it!" she cried in Malay, her dark, wrinkled face pulled into a scowl, as she tried to grab a nearby protester. "You're being a menace!"

themalaysianinsider.com

He was picked up and then taken to the Jinjang police station for questioning, said PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad when contacted by The Malaysian Insider. "Yes, he (Saifuddin) was arrested (by police) right after the #KitaLawan ended. We have also contacted our lawyer to assist him," he said.

Nik Nazmi however, said he could not confirmed why the arrest was made against Saifullah. PKR Youth's #KitaLawan movement proceeded with its mega rally in Kuala Lumpur today to press for Anwar's freedom, despite a police warning not to go ahead.

themalaysianinsider.com

The authorities’ handling of today’s #KitaLawan rally have shown the world that Malaysia is a country that allows its people to practise their right to be heard, according to Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen.

When met at the rally today, he told The Rakyat Post that the cooperation provided by police personnel today had allowed the public to voice out their grievances in a controlled manner that differentiated the country from troubled Thailand and Indonesia.

therakyatpost.com

“Countries all over the world recognise freedom of speech as a democratic right. Today’s well handled and peaceful assembly has probably enhanced our image on the international platform as it shows that the Malaysian government is one that can tolerate protests, even when it is directed at the ruling government itself.

“We’ve also seen that the police can actually facilitate a protest even without a notice. Thousands of people joined us and marched all around the city centre, and besides the minor traffic jams, everything else went smoothly.”

therakyatpost.com

Police have declared a demonstration to be held this Saturday to press for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's freedom illegal under the Peaceful Assembly Act.

themalaysianinsider.com

Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainol Samah said that authorities had failed to reach an agreement with the rally organisers during a meeting at the district’s headquarters here on Wednesday.

He said the organisers, represented by PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, had not “followed procedure” in applying for a permit to hold the rally in front of the Sogo Shopping Complex this Saturday.

“They did not submit the 10-day notice as stipulated under the Peaceful Assembly Act, and after long discussions, they also rejected our proposal to move the rally to a stadium,” he said.

Responding to the police, PKR vice-president Tian Chua said the rally was still expected to continue, despite the police ruling.

“The police have no right to ask people to switch locations and secondly, there is no requirement for a permit. There is no issue with the police and the rally looks set to go on,” said the Batu MP, who said he expected “a few thousands” to turn up.

Around 50 non-governmental organisations have pledged to participate in the gathering.

The #KitaLawan movement has so far held three gatherings in front of the Sogo shopping centre to press for Anwar's release from jail. The opposition leader had his sodomy conviction upheld by the Federal Court on February 10, and was sentenced to five years in jail.

themalaysianinsider.com

On 28 February, about 150 to 200 supporters had marched from Sogo to another Kuala Lumpur landmark, the Suria KLCC shopping centre where the Petronas Twin Towers are.

At Sogo, opposition politicians had been able to give speeches to the crowd gathered.

Prior to that, #KitaLawan had also managed to stage two other demonstrations outside Sogo in previous weeks.

themalaysianinsider.com

The police ban on the gathering follows a police report lodged by the management of the Sogo shopping complex against the rally organisers, on the grounds that the demonstration would be bad for business.

themalaysianinsider.com

ACP Zainol added that police had received six reports against the planned rally, including from the management of Sogo and a fast food chain in the mall, which complained about noise made by the protesters during another #KitaLawan rally in front of the premises on Feb 28.

“If they continue, we will just have to do our work in maintaining public order,” he said.

Responding to the police, PKR vice-president Tian Chua said the rally was still expected to continue, despite the police ruling.

“The police have no right to ask people to switch locations and secondly, there is no requirement for a permit. There is no issue with the police and the rally looks set to go on,” said the Batu MP, who said he expected “a few thousands” to turn up.

Around 50 non-governmental organisations have pledged to participate in the gathering.

He said police had suggested three locations for the gathering, but #KitaLawan organisers had decided to go ahead with the demonstration outside Sogo.

"We suggested Padang Merbuk, Stadium Negara and also the Sultan Sulaiman Club, but they declined," said Zainol.

themalaysianinsider.com

Batu MP Tian Chua who was also present said police should not make an issue of where people choose to gather.

"Citizens have a right to gather, it's not for the police decide where we want to gather. The police's job is to ensure the rally goes smoothly and that people are safe," the PKR lawmaker said.

themalaysianinsider.com

The Selangor Government, said Menteri Besar Azmin Ali on the sidelines of a three-day visit to Sarawak, supports the proposed public rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday in support of jailed Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

He urged the police to respect the constitutional rights of the people to rally in public. The event is being organised by PKR Youth’s #KitaLawan Movement.

“The people are allowed to hold peaceful demonstrations. This is a constitutional right,” said Azmin.

freemalaysiatoday.com

On 4 March 2015, Johor police have summoned Bukit Batu assemblyman Jimmy Puah for an investigation over a speech he gave during a rally to support the jailed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PKR said today.

On February 21, police arrested activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Fariz Musa as well as PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad for participating in a pro-Anwar rally held in Kuala Lumpur on February 21. All were subsequently released.

themalaymailonline.com

Civil rights lawyers have warned that police appeared to be using a "new tactic" to curb freedom of expression by using the Penal Code instead, as the Peaceful Assembly Act which regulates demonstrations does not criminalise protests.

themalaysianinsider.com

On 28 March (Friday) , Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua was re-arrested in connection to the #KitaLawan rally while the party's secretary-general Rafizi Ramli was arrested at his service centre in Kuala Lumpur, under the Sedition Act 1948 under the same charges. Rafizi's detention was allegedly linked to rallying supporters to gather at the anti-government #KitaLawan rally.

astroawani.com