Two MPs among those detained in nationwide arrests

source:The Star
date:Monday July 4, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa and Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam were among those nabbed in a series of arrests nationwide over the Opposition-initiated Bersih 2.0 rally.

Er was among six DAP members detained for allegedly distributing Bersih 2.0 rally-related flyers at the Taman Sri Tebrau market here at around 9.40am yesterday.

Johor Baru OCPD Zainuddin Yaakob said their case would be investigated under the Societies Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Sedition Act.

“None of them have any criminal record but we will be submitting a remand application against them,” he said.

The police seized 300 pieces of Bersih-related flyers, banners and T-shirts worn by the men.

The group had earlier gathered at the market to distribute the flyers.

They wore yellow T-shirts with the caption Negara bersih, rakyat bertuah (A clean nation, a blessed people) and an image of a broomstick and a dustpan.

In KLANG, PKR's Manikavasagam was released several hours after he was detained for having nine Bersih 2.0 rally T-shirts in his car.

North Klang OCPD Supt Shukor Sulong said the MP's statement was recorded at the Sungai Kapar police station at about noon and released on bail four hours later.

He, however, did not disclose the bail amount.

“He will be charged today at the Shah Alam court,” said Supt Shukor, adding that Manikavasagam was arrested outside a wet market.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, seven men, including Dungun PAS Youth chief Syeikh Mohamad Hanafi Abdul Aziz and a public institute of higher learning student, were detained on Friday for distributing pamphlets on the Bersih 2.0 rally.

The seven, aged 22 to 40, were detained for allegedly inciting the public to attend the Bersih 2.0 rally.

He refuted suggestions that the police would block people here from going to Kuala Lumpur but warned that those with Bersih-related items would be detained.

SAC Jamshah said 217 reports had been lodged by individuals and non-governmental organisations in Terengganu against the rally.

In KOTA KINABALU, the police said the detention of seven people on Saturday was “above board”.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said: “Everything was done within the ambit of the law.”

He added that those unhappy with the arrests could lodge police reports.

Six of those detained lodged reports against their detention at the Karamunsing police station.