KUALA LUMPUR: DAP’s Tony Pua, who is being investigated for his role in the Bersih 5 rally, has decried the lack of action against Umno delegates who have allegedly made racially-tinged speeches at the party’s annual general assembly over the past three days.
Speaking to reporters outside the Bukit Aman police headquarters after giving his statement, Pua said he was being investigated under Section 504 of the penal code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and Section 4(2)(b) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Section 4(2)(b) states that it is an offence for anyone to participate in an assembly held at any prohibited place and within 50 metres from the limit of the prohibited space.
Alluding to the purported racially-tinged speeches, Pua said the Umno members were like “kings of this country”, while those who sought to protect the rights of minorities are detained and face “unfair” investigations.
“The abuse of power is clear in Malaysia. We hope the police will carry out their duties fairly.”
However, Pua did not give any specific examples of the racially-tinged speeches.
Pua, who is the MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, said he was questioned for less than an hour and was asked what he did during the rally and why he participated in the rally.
“I said the peaceful Bersih 5 assembly made three demands, namely to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, a clean government as well as free and fair elections,” he said, adding he was told he would be questioned again.
He hoped the police would close the case and focus on “bigger crimes” affecting the Malaysian government.
“I also understand that PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar would also be called in for questioning but she is overseas at the moment.”
Pua claimed the authorities’ move to question and detain politicians and civil society members was a form of intimidation, but stressed that the people should not be afraid, as keeping quiet would mean letting kleptocracy reign.
Over 15 people were arrested in the run up to the Bersih 5 rally on Nov 19, and after the rally, including civil society leaders and politicians.