By Mahadhir Monihuldin
GOMBAK, 28 November 2016 – Activist Maria Chin Abdullah is being detained and investigated under Section 124(C) of Malaysia’s Penal Code for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said on Thursday (24 November).
He told the audience this in a talk on Malaysia’s national security attended by staffs and students at IIUM’s Main Auditorium in response to a question on the reason for Maria’s detention.
According to the IGP, Maria was detained after documents “detrimental to parliamentary democracy” was found in her office. He said that her detention has nothing to do with Bersih 5 rally on 19 November.
Tan Sri Khalid said Maria’s detention for 28 days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) was “to give police ample time to get a statement from her on the nature of Bersih’s 2.0’s funds.”
“A team of police officers raided the Bersih office on 18 November and found some documents that have led us to believe that they could be involved in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, an offence under Section 124(C) of the Penal Code, which is under SOSMA.”
Tan Sri Khalid explained that the 28-day detention period would give police enough time to go through the documents and items seized from Bersih’s office to get Maria’s statement on the confiscated items. Maria, he added, had confessed to getting funds from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) funded by billionaire George Soros.
“The OSF is known for funding groups in many countries to topple their governments, such as in Bosnia and even Slovakia,” Tan Sri Khalid said.
Tan Sri Khalid clarified that “SOSMA can be used for investigations into organised crimes, human trafficking and crimes against the country, not just terrorism.”
“It is the responsibility of the police to ensure that national security is not threatened by anyone,” he said.
Tan Sri Khalid was quick to denounce allegations of harsh treatment made by certain quarters towards Maria Chin during her detention.
“I disagree with the claim that she has been badly treated,” he exclaimed. “All detainees are treated equally, and the police have conformed to the standard operating procedures and rules.”
Khalid also said that in addition to being investigated for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, Maria is also being probed under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012. ***