KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, has been arrested by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department.
Its director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that Badrul was arrested at around 8pm for refusing to cooperate with police. He had been previously ordered on July 9 to attend an investigation under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Shuhaily also stressed that the arrest was unrelated to an upcoming rally by Perikatan Nasional this Saturday.
“Police would like to emphasise that the arrest of (Badrul) has nothing to do with the gathering held by a group of individuals on September 16,” he said during a press conference this evening.
“Police urge the public to be prudent social media users, and not use the platforms to the point of causing public panic, and threatening the country’s harmony.”
Those who deliberately jeopardise public safety and harmony will face stern action without compromise, he added.
On June 21, police opened an investigation into Badrul based on a video of him issuing a statement regarding the border conflict negotiations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Badrul allegedly said that the prime minister had “handed over” the crude oil-rich Ambalat ocean block to Indonesia.
The investigation was conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The rally taking place in Kg Baru this Saturday is a protest against Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s dismissal not amounting to an acquittal from the deputy prime minister’s graft charges.
However, it is unclear whether the organisers have since applied to police for a permit to hold the rally at the location.
Yesterday, police confirmed that they have yet to receive any applications to hold the Save Malaysia rally planned in the city centre.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the provision in Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 requires the application for a permit to be made at least five days before the date the assembly is held. – September 14, 2023