PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, the key figure in mobilising party members to join the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9, has been summoned by police to give a statement - for the third time in less than one week.

NONEMat Sabu, as he is widely known, said the move to repeatedly call up Pakatan Rakyat leaders for their statements to be recorded on the same issue was harassment and a disruption to their activities.

He was first summoned to the Gombak district police headquarters yesterday for what he had said at the party's muktamar on June 5.

Today, he was called up by the Subang Jaya district police headquarters for his speech at a ceramah in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.

In both events, he had called on party members and members of the public to join the July 9 rally.

"Today, my wife told me that the Klang police station had sent me a letter, summoning me to give yet another statement. But I am still to find out the details," he said when contacted today.

"This is harassment by the police against the rakyat who are loyal to their country."

The police have announced that action will be taken against whatever action that encourages people to join the illegal gathering.

However, Mat Sabu, who was on his way to Johor when contacted, was unperturbed by the harassment.

"We will continue with our ceramah nationwide. It is our constitutional right to explain to the people. I will give another ceramah in Muar tonight.

"As long as Bersih 2.0 continues with the rally, PAS will support it," he added.

Selayang MP also called in

In another related development today, Selayang parliamentarian William Leong was called up by police and he spent an hour at the Gombak police district headquarters answering questions about Bersih.

"It was because I mentioned the word 'Bersih' in my ceramah at Kampung Bendahara in Selayang on June 29, so Bersih is a bad word," Leong said, tongue-in-cheek.

He said among the questions asked was whether he was aware of Bersih 2.0 and whether he knew that lots of people have expressed concern against the rally.

"I told them that I am aware through media, but I am not an organiser and that it an NGO-organised event... I also said I am aware that lots of people are going ahead with it, and that it is their right protected under the constitution.

"I said that as far as these people are concerned, it would be a peaceful event, so there is no real reason for concern," Leong said.

Police also asked him if he would attend the July 9 rally, but he exercised his right not to answer the question.

"I believe that I may be called in again, for the police appear to be trying to frighten people against attending the rally," he added.


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