Lawyer: Don't be selective in probe on butt flasher
A criminal lawyer has called on the police not to be selective in investigating cases involving indecent acts being allegedly done to pictures of political leaders.
A criminal lawyer has called on the police not to be selective in investigating cases involving indecent acts being allegedly done to pictures of political leaders.
Referring to the arrest of a student for flashing his bare butt at pictures of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his spouse during the Merdeka Eve celebrations last week, Baljit Singh Sidhu asked why other similar acts went unpunished.
"Why no action?" Baljit (
right
) asked, referring to the picture of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng
stepped on by demonstrators
and when a group of army veterans exercised their buttocks in front of Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga's house.
He felt that if the case went to court, lawyers would question the apparent "preferential treatment" for the Najib case.
It was clear to him that police did not take action in the case of Lim and Ambiga.
"I hope there is no selective investigation in this matter," Baljit told Malaysiakini today.
However, he said, the butt-flashing student could be charged with indecent behaviour, under the Penal Code.
Flag incident: Sedition Act can be used
Commenting on another incident at the Merdeka Eve celebrations involving individuals waving the Sang Saka Malaya flag, Baljit said he believed they could be charged under provisions of the Sedition Act.
Police have also asked for those involved in the flag incident and 10 other individuals who stepped on the pictures of Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor after the student bared his buttocks to come forward.
Three police task force units have been formed to investigate the incidents under the Sedition Act, Peaceful Assembly Act and Sections 290, 504 and 509 of the Penal Code.
Baljit's call for an impartial and non-selective investigation echoes that from opposition leaders who have lamented that similar incidents involving their leaders were allowed to pass without any action taken.
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