Quizzed by cops over OSF grant, Maria opts to remain silent
Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah chose not to answer police's questions when she was called to Bukit Aman this morning over an investigation into the Open Society Foundations' (OSF) grant to the electoral reform movement.
"She has reserved her right not to answer questions and if necessary, will answer in court," her lawyer Farhana Abdul Halim told reporters after they left the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.
The investigation is under Section 124C of the Penal Code which deals with attempts to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah chose not to answer police's questions when she was called to Bukit Aman this morning over an investigation into the Open Society Foundations' (OSF) grant to the electoral reform movement.
"She has reserved her right not to answer questions and if necessary, will answer in court," her lawyer Farhana Abdul Halim told reporters after they left the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.
The investigation is under Section 124C of the Penal Code which deals with attempts to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Maria also revealed that the report lodged against them on this issue was made by the police themselves and was based off an article by Malay Mail titled 'Leaked minutes show planned foreign intervention in polls'.
Previously, Maria had clarified that Bersih had only received a one-time funding of RM70,000 between 2010 and 2011 from OSF, which is linked to American billionaire George Soros.
Farhana said today's questioning was "pure harassment" and unnecessary as Bersih was open and transparent with its accounts.
All details of Bersih's accounts and funding can be found on its website, added Farhana, who is also a Bersih steering committee member.
Maria also claimed that the "harassment" was meant to stop the Bersih convoy and the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur.
"(Our agenda is) about free and fair elections and good governance.
"What is wrong with our agenda that you have to harass us in this manner?" said Maria.
Merdeka Centre programme director Ibrahim Suffian has also been summoned to the Dang Wangi police district headquarters next Monday over allegations that his group is funded by Soros.
Bersih and Merdeka Centre were implicated by several news organisation in their reports on the leak of grant making group OSF, which was founded by Soros.
The news reports focused on OSF's Malaysia programme which funded groups that promoted free and fair elections.
This was interpreted as attempts to interfere in Malaysia's electoral process.
