Suaram activist released by police

A Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) activist who was detained by police during a candle light vigil on Thursday night has been released.

Ng Eng Kiat, 25, attached to a local university here, was freed on bail this afternoon. No reason was given for the release.
When contacted yesterday evening, state criminal investigations department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Wan Abdullah Tuanku Said confirmed Ng’s release.

He said the police had recorded Ng’s statement, and hoped to wrap up investigations soon.

Earlier in the day, state police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakub told a press conference that Ng was investigated for unlawful assembly and sedition under Section 143 of the Penal Code and Section 4 (b) of the Sedition Act respectively.
Section 143 carries a maximum six months’ jail or fine, or both, upon conviction while Section 4 (b) carries a maximum three years’ jail or a maximum RM5,000 fine.

Ayub said initial investigations showed that the vigil was held following the Perak Assembly showdown on Thursday morning.

He said the organiser of the event had failed to obtain a permit from the Northeast district police chief to hold the vigil.

“We had initially followed the proceeding from afar and advised those present not to utter seditious remarks in their speeches. However, when the situation worsened with seven of the total 60 attendees, including politicians, uttering words which could lead to anger among the people, police were forced to interfere,” he added.

In the 9.45pm incident in the compound of Dewan Sri Pinang, Ng, who was the emcee and believed to be the main organiser of the vigil, was detained by the officer-in-charge of the Lebuh Pantai police station Chief Inspector Alimin Salleh.

It was a chaotic scene when Ng was whisked away and other Suaram activists questioned the reason for his arrest.

Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, Kebun Bunga state assemblyman Ong Khan Lee, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Koid Teng Guan and Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Khairi Amin had took turns to speak on democracy, mainly touching on the Perak Assembly showdown, during the vigil.

NST