Applying tit for tat, PKR deputy head Azmin Ali has sent a letter of demand to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and two top police officers, demanding an open apology over the ‘high-handed’ disruption of a ceramah last Friday night.

NONEIn a letter dated March 28, 2011, lawyer N Surendran - who is acting for Azmin - claimed that the police had acted mala fide (with bad intention) and had violated the law.

“Their action in charging, disrupting and ending the political event without any valid reason is unlawful. It is estimated that 50 policemen including Federal Reserve Unit (personnel) raided the event,” said Surendran who is also PKR vice-president.

“Police used extreme force resulting in Azmin (being) pushed and (subsequently falling). There were several (arrests) by the police.”

Copies of the letter were also sent to Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar and Ampang Jaya OCPD Amiruddin Jamaluddin.

Four demands

Surendran cited a list of “serious offences” by the police - trespassing, criminal intimidation, assault and disruption - and described the raid as “politically motivated”.

“We have been instructed to seek four demands within the next 48 hours,” he said.
 
The party wants the police to:
  • supply the names and serial number of personnel who were involved in the raid;
  • supply the names of the police officers leading the team and the person who gave the order;
  • issue an open apology, according to terms set by Azmin; and
  • give an undertaking they will not repeat such actions.
Surendran said that, if the police fail to comply within 48 hours, his client reserves the right to seek damages via legal action, including aggravated damages and other relief deemed fit.

The ceramah in Gombak, delivered by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, was disrupted by the police who also arrested three people.

Azmin has been called in by the police to have his statement recorded, and is scheduled to do so tomorrow.