Cops rough up opposition MP
The protest on the Internal Security Act (ISA) today saw opposition parliamentarian Dr Hatta Ramli manhandled by the police outside the Masjid Negara.
The Kuala Krai PAS MP had come down after prayers to address about 2,000 protesters gathered at the compound of the mosque calling for the abolition of the ISA.
The protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA) today saw opposition parliamentarian Dr Hatta Ramli manhandled by the police outside the Masjid Negara.
The Kuala Krai PAS MP had emerged from the mosque after prayers to address about 2,000 protesters gathered outside.
Hatta said he was about to deliver a short speech before asking supporters to proceed towards the Sogo shopping complex when police moved into the crowd and forcibly dragged him to the ground from behind.
"I almost lost my balance and fell over on the supporters," he said.
A video clip from a Malaysian Mirror journalist showed a struggle between police and the protesters, who were shielding Hatta from the police.
In the melee, Hatta's collared T-shirt was ripped, exposing his torso.
No warning given
"We were taken aback because they came from behind and there was no warning whatsoever (for us to disperse)," said Hatta, who was not arrested.
"But this is just part of our struggle, we managed to proceed to Sogo," he added.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Aliran president P Ramakrishnan lambasted the police for cracking down on a peaceful march.
"Thousands of concerned and caring Malaysians took part in the march out of revulsion for the ISA which is being used by Barisan Nasional to suppress and oppress the legitimate rights of the citizens of this beloved nation," said Ramakrishnan.
He explained that the demonstration was not to "cause chaos or disrupt public order". "It was meant to be an orderly march to the palace to hand over of a memorandum to the Agong," he said.
"The BN does not want the rest of the nation to know how dissatisfied and disgusted the people are with the BN government which is fast losing its credibility and moral authority to remain in power.
"It is a reaction from an authority that is not capable of debating and discussing this issue rationally and sensibly. It only knows barbarity and brutality, which is alien to good governance," he added.
'1Malaysia' empty rhetoric
"If so much power and apparatus of oppression can be marshalled to crush a peaceful march, why not the same effort and enthusiasm cannot be mounted to meet the challenge of street crimes?" asked Ramakrishnan.
PKR Youth also condemned the police violence.
"The police action totally unnecessary. It breaches the codes of democracy and human rights. They only wanted to submit a memorandum to the Agong," said Youth leader Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
"The brutality inflicted the cops clearly shows that the Prime Minister Najib Razak's '1 Malaysia' slogan were merely hollow words," added Shamsul.
"He should release immediately all those detained by police, suspend the IGP and other high ranking officers from their duties and hold an independent inquiry into today's shameful crackdown."
